Rudy Paige to start for South Africa in Rugby Championship clash with Australia
Thursday 29 September 2016 13:40, UK
South Africa coach Allister Coetzee has handed Bulls scrum-half Rudy Paige his first Test start in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with Australia in Pretoria, live on Sky Sports Mix from 3.30pm.
Paige's inclusion is one of three changes to the team that started in the 41-13 defeat to New Zealand in Christchurch on September 17, a game which saw the All Blacks clinch the title.
The 27-year-old, who has made four appearances from the Springboks' bench, will partner fly-half Morne Steyn with the pair taking over from Faf de Klerk and Elton Jantjies, who have started the last six Tests.
The other change to the starting XV sees Pat Lambie return in place of Johan Goosen at full-back after being absent since he suffered concussion in the series opener against Ireland in June.
Coetzee has reshuffled his bench with Bongi Mbonambi, Julian Redelinghuys, Lood de Jager, Lionel Mapoe and Willie le Roux all given a chance.
Coetzee told sarugby.net: "We had a very good training week so far and there is definitely excitement amongst the players to play in front of our South African supporters again as we continue to build continuity with just the three changes to the starting team and an unchanged pack of forwards.
"Pat has shown great confidence all week long and we are very pleased to have him back, as well as Lood and Julian, both of who have also shrugged off injuries. Willie will add a lot of experience on the bench.
"The selection of Pat at full-back fits into the way we want to play this weekend, together with his experience, calmness and leadership, which will be invaluable this weekend.
"Elton and Faf remain an integral part of the squad and both are part of our future plans, but Rudy and Morne deserve an opportunity to start.
"Australia will be determined to build on their previous two wins and they will pose difficult questions to us with their tactical and technical approach.
"We have our own goals to achieve within the two remaining matches, starting on Saturday when we play the Wallabies in front of a good crowd at Loftus."
South Africa: 15 Pat Lambie, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Rudy Paige; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Francois Louw, 7 Oupa Mahoje, 8 Warren Whiteley,
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Jaco Kriel, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Willie le Roux.
