Rassie addresses the Marco van Staden decision

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus explained his tactical decision to start regular flanker Marco van Staden at No. 8 for the Springboks' upcoming match against the Wallabies in Perth. Van Staden joins Elrigh Louw and Paul de Villiers in the starting loose forward trio, with Jasper Wiese named on the bench.

Erasmus dismissed positional rigidity, clarifying that the role primarily differs at the scrum while emphasizing breakdown dominance against Australia's loose forwards like Fraser McReight. He detailed that Louw provides required height for lineouts, allowing Van Staden to focus heavily on ball carrying and breakdown contests.