22-year-old flyhalf Feinberg-Mngomezulu to make 1st test start for Springboks against Australia

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Elrigh Louw will make their first test starts for South Africa against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday as the visitors' match-day 23 features only three changes from the team that played Ireland in a two-test series in July.

The Springboks won the first match against Ireland 27-20 before losing the second 25-24. The only new players from those matches are Louw, two-time Rugby World Cup-winning scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and replacement utility forward Ben-Jason Dixon.

For Australia, Western Force flanker Carlo Tizzano was named on Thursday by coach Joe Schmidt to make his test debut in the Rugby Championship opener for both teams. Tizzano starts at openside flanker at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium in place of Fraser McReight, who has a finger injury, and alongside Rob Valetini and Harry Wilson.

Schmidt has brought Matt Faessler back into the starting front row, with Allan Ala’alatoa retaining the captaincy alongside Isaac Kailea.

Australia is 3-0 to start its season, including two wins over Wales and one over Georgia. Australia and South Africa will play again on Aug. 17 in Perth, Western Australia.

“There’s a mix of continuity and freshness in the squad and the players have worked with good enthusiasm during the week, but we know there’s still plenty to work on,” Schmidt said in a statement.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who is 22, will start at flyhalf after four appearances off the bench for the Springboks this season while coming on at either flyhalf or fullback. Louw starts at No. 8 after four replacement appearances since his debut at the start of the 2022 season.

Only six players were retained in the squad from the 64-21 win over Portugal at the end of July — Louw, Reinach, Dixon, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, R.G. Snyman at lock and Kurt-Lee Arendse on the wing.

The new halfback combination sees Reinach continue at No. 9 in place of the Faf de Klerk, who is injured, while experienced flyhalf Handre Pollard provides cover off the replacements’ bench.

“Sacha has made a notable impact off the bench in all four tests he has played so far, and he’s slotted into the system with ease, so we are excited to see what dynamic he adds to the team as a starter," South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus said of his young flyhalf.

“His goal-kicking has also been impressive, and we know that against teams like Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina the margins are very small, so every point will count."

___

Australia: Isaac Kailea, Matt Faessler, Allan Ala’alatoa (captain), Nick Frost, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Harry Wilson, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright. Reserves: Josh Nasser, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Luke Reimer, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch.

South Africa: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Elrigh Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), R.G. Snyman, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nché. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Handré Pollard.

___

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby