Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has unveiled his tactical thinking behind Lukhanyo Am's switch to inside centre and the inclusion of both Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard on the bench for the second Test against Australia.
Am, a double World Cup winner, returns to the starting XV but will be playing in the number 12 jersey for the first time. He has earned 37 caps for South Africa, with 34 coming at outside centre and two appearances off the bench.
While the move to inside centre is a new challenge for Am, it's not entirely unfamiliar territory. He began his professional career at 12 before shifting to outside centre when he joined the Sharks. This time, he replaces Damian de Allende, his usual centre partner in 28 Test matches, and will link up with Jesse Kriel for the first time.
De Allende, the only specialist inside centre in the squad following Andre Esterhuizen's suspension, was rested due to his high workload. Erasmus explained: "We want to win the Test match, and Damian has been playing a lot of minutes. We need to manage the players and keep them fresh. Test match level is different, but when Lukhanyo started his career, he only played at 12. He moved to 13 when he joined the Sharks, and he's also played on the wing for us. He did really well for us against Portugal when we went down to 14 men, playing inside centre. We wanted to shake up the team but also not lose momentum in the system. Jesse has been excellent on defence and attack at 13, and Lukhanyo was really good against Portugal. To put it simply, Damian needs the rest, not just because of the minutes he's played, but also because of how he plays â really physically. We can't expect him to play 14 Test matches in a row like that."
Further intriguing selection decisions have been made on the bench, where Erasmus has opted for a more traditional 5-3 split favouring forwards. He has also included two fly-halves in Libbok and Pollard.
Pollard, who started both Tests against Ireland in July, is now considered a viable option at inside centre after coming on as a replacement in last week's match.
Erasmus commented: "Obviously, Andre Esterhuizen is unavailable, and if everything goes to plan, then Handre will slot in at 12 because we also have Manie on the bench. We do see Handre as a possible 12, but then again, Andre will be back in two weeks. Lukhanyo also looks really comfortable there, giving us another option."
These selection choices highlight Erasmus's willingness to experiment and adapt his team, seeking to optimise the squad's versatility and manage player workload. With a strong focus on both winning the Test and ensuring long-term player fitness, the Springboks are demonstrating their commitment to building a formidable team for the Rugby Championship and beyond.
