Michael Cheika surprised as Springboks ring the changes and bench star players MURRAY WENZELGETTY IMAGES Wallabies coach Michael Cheika admitted he was surprised by South Africa's team selection. But Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus insists its nothing personal, jumping to the defence of under-pressure counterpart Michael Cheika while explaining next year's World Cup in Japan was his side's true focus. Erasmus, in his first season as national coach, surprised his counterpart by making six changes to the side that lost 32-19 to Argentina last month. READ MORE:* Wallabies close to record low* Cheika swings selection axe* Wallabies expected to hit back* Wallabies in 'worse position'* Key battles: Boks v Wallabies"I hope we haven't become a team where the opposition can rest all their best players," Cheika said. "There's very few of these guys, including Malcolm, that got a surprise they weren't in the team," he said.

Source: Stuff September 06, 2018 07:07 UTC