Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that lock Lood de Jager is set to start against the Wallabies if he comes through this weekend unscathed.

De Jager will play his first match in over four months when he starts for the Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup opener against Western Province at Newlands on Saturday.

The 26-year-old has been out since early March after suffering a shoulder injury for which he had to undergo surgery.

However, Erasmus said that De Jager will slip straight back into the Springbok squad for their opening Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies next Saturday, provided he does not go down injured during this weekend’s clash.

‘He will play next week,’ Erasmus said. ‘If Lood comes through the game he will probably start for us against Australia. He will start.’

The Boks will face Australia in Johannesburg before moving on to take on the All Blacks in Wellington the following weekend. Erasmus has confirmed that the squad will be split for the two matches.

Photo: EPA/Dave Hunt