Rassie Erasmus has named 13 different Springboks – eight forwards and five backs – after getting asked to build his perfect player. Featuring in episode seven of Rassie on Alles on the Springboks social media channels, the South Africa head coach gave a lengthy reply when invited to assemble his perfect player from the best parts of current Springboks players.

Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Ox Nche, Kwagga Smith, Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit were the forwards mentioned in his answer, with Manie Libbok, Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi named as the backs.

Speaking on the clip, Erasmus said: “Build the perfect player? Yeah, the perfect player would probably be if you take the ‘I just do my job, trust me’ Frans Malherbe, and then a Kitshoff and an Ox with just pure power. The engine of Kwagga Smith.

“Manie’s confidence after making mistakes. Eben Etzebeth, everybody sees him just as this big lump of a man that demolishes guys, but there is so much thinking that goes on. The brain of Willie le Roux.

“Handre’s kicking game, and if you said, ‘Listen, I’ll lead the physicality’, then you will have a Bongi and a Malcolm. The feet of Cheslin Kolbe, the determination and the ‘I want to do it for South Africa’ of Mapimpi. You know Pieter-Steph’s commitment on physicality and skills.

“As long as you are a warrior I will try and make the Springbok team work no matter what it costs, and I think I’ve left out so many names and all of these guys are warriors.”

This perfect player vignette was posted on social media in the build-up to South Africa’s second-round Rugby Championship encounter versus Australia in Perth this Saturday.

Having demolished the Wallabies in round one with a thumping 33-7 win on Brisbane, Erasmus named a Springboks team on Tuesday showing 10 changes to his starting XV. At the same time, he has also reconfigured his bomb squad, including just five forwards on the bench on this occasion rather than the now traditional six.

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Schmidt backs rookie to fire against Boks

SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt backs rookie outside back Max Jorgensen to make an impact off the bench against the Springboks in the second Test of the Rugby Championship.

The Wallabies come off a 7-33 thumping at the hands of the Springboks in Brisbane this past Saturday, but they were boosted by the returns of two-time John Eales medallist Marika Koroibete and prop Angus Bell for the rematch in Perth this coming Saturday.

Schmidt also signalled his intent by naming Waratahs youngster Max Jorgensen on the bench for a possible debut against the world champion Springboks.

The 19-year-old was part of Eddie Jones’ 2023 World Cup squad in France but missed out on making his debut after breaking his leg in training.

Schmidt expressed confidence in Jorgensen and feels that he will be able to handle anything South Africa will throw at him.

“I just think in the modern game, it’s very hard to target someone illegally, obviously, because of the TMO and and the consequence of targeting someone illegally,” Schmidt said.

“They may try to put the ball on top of him, but he’s good in the air.

“My perception of him is that he’ll be keen for them to kick it to him so he can get his running game up and going.

“He’s one of our quicker players. He’s good on his feet.

“And for a young man who will be stepping into the Test arena against the world champions, he has a quiet confidence about him.

“I sense that he’s ready to go.”

Koroibete surprisingly missed out on selection in the first Test.

Schmidt opted to use the Giteau Law to bring the Japan-based Koroibete into the squad, but felt that he needed another week to get “up to speed”.

The Wallabies will hope to see the best of Koroibete in Perth against a South African side that made 10 changes to their starting line-up.

Koroibete replaces wing Filipo Daugunu, who suffered a broken leg.

Prop Angus Bell, who underwent a reshaping of his foot earlier this year in an attempt to address a worrying toe injury, represents a feel-good story of the week having been named in the starting line-up in his Wallabies return.

“I think starting him allows us to better control his minutes a little bit,” Schmidt said.

“He goes straight from the warm-up, builds a rhythm and gets that confidence to go straight into the game, rather than bringing him off the bench, which can be a bit more complicated.”

Josh Nasser has been entrusted with the No.2 jumper for his first start at hooker with captain Allan Alaalatoa completing the front row.

The injury to Jake Gordon sees the return of veteran Nic White to the starting line-up to combine with his former Brumbies halfback partner Noah Lolesio for the seventh time at Test level.

Reds scrumhalf Tate McDermott and Western Force flyhalf Ben Donaldson will look to make an impact off the bench.

James Slipper is poised to become the most capped Wallaby of all time should he come off the bench to win his 138th Test cap.

It will leave him one short of equalling George Gregan’s record of 139.

Reds loose forward Seru Uru is also in line for a Test debut should he be utilized off the bench, alongside fellow forward Tom Hooper.