Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber was forced to make a late change to his team for their opening Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Pretoria on Saturday.
Duane Vermeulen will lead the Springboks for the third time when they take to the field for their Rugby Championship opener against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The Springboks are under no illusions as to the challenge that lies ahead of them when they kick off their Rugby Championship campaign against Australia at Loftus Versveld this weekend.
South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus admits that Handre Pollard's knee injury is "a bit of a worry" as the World Cup approaches.
Michael Hooper and James Slipper have been named as co-captains of Australia ahead of the Rugby Championship and World Cup.
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones believes winning the Rugby Championship is an important part of the team's journey to try and snatch the Rugby World Cup in France later this year.