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South Africa's Ross Cronje shrugs off ankle injury to play Australia

By AFP Sport

Thursday 7 September 2017 10:21, UK

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 10: Ross Cronje of the Springboks breaks away to score a try during the Castle Lager Incoming Series 1st Test between South A
Image: Ross Cronje returns for South Africa's game against Australia after suffering an ankle injury

Scrum-half Ross Cronje has shrugged off an ankle injury and Pieter-Steph du Toit returns at lock in the only changes to the South Africa team to face Australia in Perth on Saturday.

Cronje, who has established himself as regular this season, missed the Rugby Championship win over Argentina in Salta with the knock he suffered in the Springboks' opening match against the Pumas in Port Elizabeth.

But he has proven his fitness and will partner fly-half Elton Jantjies, while Francois Hougaard returns to the bench.

In the only other change to the starting team, Du Toit comes in for Franco Mostert, who has been a stalwart for the Springboks and gets a break because of his heavy workload.

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It means Du Toit is reunited in the second row with captain Eben Etzebeth, who makes his 60th appearance.

The only other change to the matchday squad sees the inclusion of experienced fly-half Handre Pollard among the reserves.

"Even though we travelled to three continents in 10 days, this group has the desire to get better, and learn from previous experiences," said coach Allister Coetzee.

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"The performance in Salta was not perfect, but we are looking forward to the next opportunity to improve as individuals and as a team."

The Springbok coach again emphasised that the Wallabies will come with a massive challenge.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 17: Allister Coetzee (Head Coach) of South Africa during the 2nd Castle Lager Incoming Series Test match between South Africa a
Image: South Africa head coach Allister Coetzee has warned his players of the great threat posed by Australia

"They are a well-coached side, with great deception on attack. Their playmakers and strike runners complement each other very well and we will have to be very sharp on defence," he said.

"If you look at their performances against New Zealand, you will see how well they have functioned in scoring nine tries and 63 points in two matches."

Team: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 7 Jaco Kriel, 8 Uzair Cassiem.

Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Jean Luc du Preez, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Damian de Allende

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