Rassie shows that nobody is immune to axe

THERE is a “changing of the guard” feel to the 36-man Springbok squad about to depart for Europe, with some World Cup winners relegated to the sidelines and a growing group of youngsters replacing them.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

ZACHARY Porthen has been selected to tour with the Springboks.

(Backpagepix)

Ageing veterans such as fullback Willie le Roux, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and tighthead prop Vincent Koch have not made the cut, while another two senior Boks, Bongi Mbonambi and Makazole Mapimpi, have been placed on standby.

The uncapped Stormers prop Zachary Porthen is the latest young Turk to get the nod from Rassie Erasmus. He joins an exciting new wave of players under the age of 24 in Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

Erasmus is determined to finish the year on top of the World Rugby rankings as the draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup looms (on December 3), so he has picked a squad he believes gives him the best shot at winning all five tour games. By relegating some double World Cup winners, the coach is sending out a clear message that nobody is untouchable — form, not reputation, is what counts.

Another veteran looking over his shoulder is captain Siya Kolisi, who will be 36 in Australia in two years. He is in line to become only the ninth South African Test centurion on tour after racking up his 98th cap in the 29-27 victory against Argentina in their final Rugby Championship match at Twickenham a few weeks back.