![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/542829_604808356211661_1837919275_n.jpg?resize=600%2C300&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
For the first time ever this year\u2019s Rugby Championship will open in South Africa on Saturday. The Springboks will play host to Australia at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in the first of two matches taking place on Saturday afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\n The home side are to be captained by Eben Etzebeth. The France-bound second-rower replaces the injured Siya Kolisi with star winger Aphiwe Dyantyi also unfit to play in the match.<\/span><\/p>\n Head Coach Rassie Erasmus has named a new-look side with uncapped players Rynhardt Elstadt, and Herschel Jantjies both named to start and a third player, Lizo Gqoboka will make his test debut from the bench.<\/span><\/p>\n Elstadt is to play in place of Kolisi to form a back-row trio with veterans Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Francois Louw. Other experienced players in the team come in the form of loose head Tendai Mtawarira; second-rower Lood de Jager; fly half Elton Jantjies; and center Jesse Kriel.<\/span><\/p>\n While there are new faces there are also established names among the replacements. Among them are European-based players Marcell Coetzee, Cobus Reinach, and Fran\u00e7ois Steyn.<\/span><\/p>\n Australia\u2019s side is also not altogether familiar. Head Coach Michael Cheika has raised some eye-brows with the selection of Harry Johnson-Holmes.<\/span><\/p>\n Starting will be debutant Isi Naisarani who moved to Australia from his native Fiji in 2014. He recently turned down selection for Fiji to instead become a Wallaby. He is to join captain Michael Hooper, and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the back-row.<\/span><\/p>\n Johnson-Holmes has been named in the 23 despite having only arrived in South Africa on Wednesday. He was an emergency call-up following the non-availability of Allan Alaalatoa, in addition to injuries to Scott Sio, and Tom Robertson.<\/span><\/p>\n Folau Fainga\u2019a will start at hooker with Jordan Uelese named as his deputy. This is to mark the official comeback for the latter who has only two caps with the last of them coming in September 2017. He has forced his way back following knee surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n In the backs the absence of Israel Folau has seen Tom Banks being preferred to Kurtley Beale at fullback and Dane Haylett-Petty named to play on the wing.<\/span><\/p>\n Saturday\u2019s match is to be the 88th overall test match between South Africa, and Australia. The Springboks have the superior record with 47 wins compared to 37 wins by the Wallabies.<\/span><\/p>\n The form of Australia in 2018 in combination with the overall performances of players, and teams in Super Rugby indicates that South Africa have an advantage. The Springboks are projected to win by 9 points.<\/span><\/p>\n TEAMS<\/span><\/p>\n SOUTH AFRICA<\/span> Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Dillyn Leyds<\/span><\/p>\n AUSTRALIA<\/span> Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Will Genia, 22 Matt To\u2019omua, 23 Kurtley Beale<\/span><\/p>\n Date: Saturday, July 20<\/span> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For the first time ever this year\u2019s Rugby Championship will open in South Africa on Saturday. The Springboks will play host to Australia at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in the first of two matches taking place on Saturday afternoon. The home side are to be captained by Eben Etzebeth. The France-bound second-rower replaces the injured…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37658,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Rugby Championship Preview \u2013 South Africa vs Australia\r\n\r\nMatch Preview \u27a1\ufe0f https:\/\/wp.me\/p9yf19-9Nn\r\n\r\nVisit \u27a1\ufe0f https:\/\/allthingsrugby.store\r\n\"Your Store to Support Your Team\"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4786,4932,4815,4603],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37657","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australia","category-latest-news","category-rugby-championship","category-south-africa"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/542829_604808356211661_1837919275_n.jpg?fit=600%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9yf19-9Nn","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":40040,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/south-africa\/2021\/05\/feast-of-rugby-for-all-blacks-fans-as-rugby-championship-unveiled\/","url_meta":{"origin":37657,"position":0},"title":"Feast of rugby for All Blacks fans as Rugby Championship unveiled","author":"rr_admin","date":"May 21, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The bumper year for All Blacks fans continues \u2013 with the All Blacks to play five Test matches at home in this year\u2019s Rugby Championship, as well as an extra Bledisloe Cup Test. The schedule for the 2021 Rugby Championship has been unveiled today with a full roster of teams,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Argentina"","block_context":{"text":"Argentina","link":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/category\/argentina\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/542829_604808356211661_1837919275_n.jpg?fit=600%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/542829_604808356211661_1837919275_n.jpg?fit=600%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/542829_604808356211661_1837919275_n.jpg?fit=600%2C300&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":40130,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/new-zealand\/2021\/07\/all-blacks-squad-named-for-the-rugby-championship\/","url_meta":{"origin":37657,"position":1},"title":"All Blacks squad named for The Rugby Championship","author":"rr_admin","date":"July 19, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The All Blacks selectors, Head Coach Ian Foster, Assistant Head Coach John Plumtree and former All Black Grant Fox, have named their squad for the 2021 edition of the Rugby Championship. The 36-strong squad is as follows: (Age, Sky Super Rugby club, provincial union and Test caps in brackets.) Forwards\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Latest News"","block_context":{"text":"Latest News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/category\/latest-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217563546_2024700001015063_2965700070931722913_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217563546_2024700001015063_2965700070931722913_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217563546_2024700001015063_2965700070931722913_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217563546_2024700001015063_2965700070931722913_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35771,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/international-rugby\/2018\/08\/all-blacks-squad-named-for-2018-investec-rugby-championship\/","url_meta":{"origin":37657,"position":2},"title":"All Blacks squad named for 2018 Investec Rugby Championship","author":"rr_admin","date":"August 6, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"All Blacks squad named for 2018 Investec Rugby Championship The All Blacks selectors, Steve Hansen, Ian Foster and Grant Fox, have named their squad for this year's Investec Rugby Championship. The 33-strong squad is as follows (with age, Super Rugby club, province and Test caps): Forwards: Hookers Dane Coles (31,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "International Rugby"","block_context":{"text":"International Rugby","link":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/category\/international-rugby\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/news_1__517363794zx.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/news_1__517363794zx.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/news_1__517363794zx.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/news_1__517363794zx.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28518,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/rugby-championship\/2016\/06\/new-bonus-point-system-for-rugby-championship\/","url_meta":{"origin":37657,"position":3},"title":"New bonus point system for Rugby Championship","author":"RugbyRedefined","date":"June 24, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Follow @RedefinedRugby SANZAAR confirmed that the modified bonus point system that was introduced into Super Rugby this season, will be adopted for The Rugby Championship. The match schedule for the tournament was also announced that will include, for the first time, a match played at Twickenham Stadium on October 8\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Rugby Championship"","block_context":{"text":"Rugby Championship","link":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/category\/rugby-championship\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"542829_604808356211661_1837919275_n","src":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/06\/542829_604808356211661_1837919275_n.jpg?w=350&h=200&crop=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/06\/542829_604808356211661_1837919275_n.jpg?w=350&h=200&crop=1 1x, https:\/\/rugbyredefined.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/06\/542829_604808356211661_1837919275_n.jpg?w=525&h=300&crop=1 1.5x, https:\/\/rugbyredefined.files.wordpress.com\/2016\/06\/542829_604808356211661_1837919275_n.jpg?w=700&h=400&crop=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":40945,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/south-africa\/2023\/07\/south-africa-v-australia-teams-and-prediction\/","url_meta":{"origin":37657,"position":4},"title":"South Africa v Australia – Teams and prediction","author":"rr_admin","date":"July 8, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND ONE: The Springboks take their first steps in 2023 when they host Australia at Loftus on Saturday with new captain Duane Vermeulen leading them in the challenge to keep their unbeaten record in Pretoria against the Wallabies intact. With a record of four wins and two losses\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Australia"","block_context":{"text":"Australia","link":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/category\/australia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/aswq23.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/aswq23.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/aswq23.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/aswq23.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/aswq23.jpg?fit=1200%2C600&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":37698,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/south-africa\/2019\/07\/rugby-championship-preview-new-zealand-vs-south-africa\/","url_meta":{"origin":37657,"position":5},"title":"Rugby Championship Preview \u2013 New Zealand vs South Africa","author":"rr_admin","date":"July 26, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"The winners from the opening round of the Rugby Championship will clash in Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday. The All Blacks will be the home side against South Africa, the best performing team from round one of the competition. New Zealand welcome back a number of Crusaders players who were\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Latest News"","block_context":{"text":"Latest News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/category\/latest-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/67__origin__0x0_Jesse_Kriel_SA_v_NZ_RC_2016.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/67__origin__0x0_Jesse_Kriel_SA_v_NZ_RC_2016.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/67__origin__0x0_Jesse_Kriel_SA_v_NZ_RC_2016.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/67__origin__0x0_Jesse_Kriel_SA_v_NZ_RC_2016.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37657","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37657"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37657\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37659,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37657\/revisions\/37659"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37657"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 4 Eben Etzebeth (capt.), 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Francois Louw, 9 Hershel Jantjies, 10 Elton Jantjies, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Andr\u00e9 Esterhuizen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 15 Warrick Gelant<\/span><\/p>\n
\n1 James Slipper, 2 Folau Fainga\u2019a, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Izack Rodda, 5 Rory Arnold, 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 7 Michael Hooper (capt.), 8 Isi Naisarani, 9 Nic White, 10 Bernard Foley, 11 Reece Hodge, 12 Samu Kerevi, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 15 Tom Banks<\/span><\/p>\n
\nVenue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg<\/span>
\nKickoff: 17:00 local (08:00 Pacific, 11:00 Eastern, 12:00 Buenos Aires)<\/span>
\nReferee: Paul Williams (NZRU)<\/span>
\nAssistants: Matthew Carley (RFU) & Karl Dickson (RFU)<\/span>
\nTMO: Rowan Kitt (RFU)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyredefined.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/emailSig.jpg?resize=577%2C150&ssl=1\")
<\/a>