Hershel Jantjies set for Boks debut

DHL Stormers and Western Province scrumhalf Hershel Jantjies is set to make his Springbok debut when Boks host Australia in The Rugby Championships opening clash against Australia this Saturday.

The 23-year-old pocket-rocket will run out in the green and gold at the Emirates Airline Park after impressing coach Rassie Erasmus and backline coach Mzwandile Stick during the Super Rugby Season.

Erasmus explains that it is time to give Jantjies a chance to increase the death at halfback.

Former Stormers and Western Province flanker Rynhardt Elstadt will also make his debut from the side of the scrum following an impressive French Top14 season which saw his side lift the tournament trophy.

Erasmus, who has coached Elstadt at the Stormers a couple of years ago, says he is expecting him to make the step up to Test rugby.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus also named lock forward Eben Etzebeth as captain for their clash.

Etzebeth takes over the captaincy from injured Siya Kolisi, who is making steady progress with his rehabilitation, to lead a team on his 76^th appearance for the Boks. Erasmus has the rest of the team.

With Erasmus expected to take a team of 32 players to New Zealand next week and then Argentina in a fortnight, he confirmed that he is still going to give a number of players a chance to impress leading up to the World Cup. – Report by Thando Gqamane