Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says Saturdays match against Wales in London is the first small step on a long journey to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and that his quest to build depth is underway.
Erasmus has picked four uncapped players Edwill van der Merwe wing, Jordan Hendrikse flyhalf, Ben-Jason Dixon lock/flank and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu utility back and recalled rising star No 8 Evan Roos.
He also taking five uncapped players along for the ride to experience intimately what Test rugby is about.
The Lions duo of Van der Merwe and Hendrikse are in the starting line-up, and the Stormers pair of Dixon and Feinberg-Mngomezulu will play off the bench while there is a hard core of experience around the newcomers.
A total of 10 players in the match-23 featured in the World Cup final against the All Blacks, while 16 were members of the Rugby World Cup squad.
