Jesse Kriel takes charge as Boks hit by injuries

With Siya Kolisi sidelined by a knee injury, Kriel takes over the captaincy. 

The experienced centre first led the Boks against the Barbarians earlier this season before becoming South Africa’s 67th Test captain against Italy in Pretoria.

Erasmus praised Kriel’s leadership qualities, calling him a student of the game who leads from the front.

"He's a guy that studies his position a lot, studies rugby a lot. I think he's turning 31 but he's in tip top shape, he can back up his words with action on the field. I think by far one of the most professional players that I've been involved with as a player,” Erasmus said.

“He's also a guy that felt how it felt last weekend for the whole 80 minutes losing to Australia, so he'd be really up for this game and I thought previously, he's been three times capped now, third or fourth time but he's always been, we don't announce the vice captain but most of the times he's vice captain or if Siya is off, Jessie has always been a pro and he's really won his first two games that he captained."

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The Springboks have been dealt a major injury blow after their 38-22 defeat to the Wallabies. 

Kolisi is out for four weeks with a knee problem, while Pieter-Steph du Toit misses the Cape Town clash after suffering a concussion.

Wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe are also sidelined for the next three weeks after picking up knocks at Ellis Park. 

Erasmus says player management will be crucial with a long Rugby Championship campaign still ahead.

"Siya is out for a knee, I think for four weeks. Pieter-Steph I think concussion, Kurt Lee, knee, Edwill, ankle."

At one stage, the Springboks led 22-0 at Ellis Park, but Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies stormed back with 38 unanswered points to seal a historic 38-22 win. 

It was South Africa’s first Test defeat since last September and ended hopes of a clean sweep to retain the Rugby Championship crown.