12 January, 2026, 4:51 am Central - 22°C Rain

Springboks call-up late replacement as Wessels withdrawn

Springboks call-up late replacement as Wessels withdrawn

By Navitalai Naivalurua
16/08/2025
Photo: RugbyPass

Boan Venter has been named on the Springboks' bench for tomorrow’s Rugby Championship opener against Australia after Jan-Hendrik Wessels was ruled out with injury.

The 27-year-old, who made his Test debut against Georgia during the July series, replaces Wessels as front-row cover after the latter suffered a training niggle on Wednesday.

Venter will back up alongside Bongi Mbonambi and Asenathi Ntlabakanye in Johannesburg, where he will make his first Rugby Championship appearance and his first Test against the Wallabies.

The Springboks will take on the Wallabies at 3.10am tomorrow, while the All Blacks will face Argentina at 9.10am tomorrow.

Updated Springboks team: 1. Ox Nche, 2. Malcolm Marx, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Lood de Jager, 6. Marco van Staden, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Siya Kolisi (captain), 9. Grant Williams, 10. Manie Libbok, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 13. Jesse Kriel, 14. Edwill van der Merwe, 15. Aphelele Fassi

Replacements: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Boan Venter, 18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19. Franco Mostert, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Cobus Reinach, 22. Canan Moodie, 23. Damian Willemse

Source:RugbyPass

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