Seven changes for Boks ahead of crucial Rugby Championship clash
Kolisi returns to lead revamped Springbok side against All Blacks
Katlego Sekhu
The fourth-round Castle Lager Rugby Championship encounter at Sky Stadium will decide which team lifts the Freedom Cup.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made seven changes to his starting XV, with 16 players in the match-day 23 retained from the side that went down 24-17 to the All Blacks in Auckland last week.
Erasmus reshuffled his backline, pairing Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, with Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie in the midfield. Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe take the wings, while Aphelele Fassi starts at fullback. The team will be captained by Siya Kolisi.
In the forwards, Kolisi returns to flank alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit, with Jasper Wiese back at No 8 after serving a four-match suspension, his first appearance since the Castle Lager Incoming Series against Italy. The only change in the pack comes at lock, where Lood de Jager partners Ruan Nortje. Erasmus retained the front row of Ox Nche, Thomas du Toit, and Malcolm Marx.
On the bench, Erasmus once again opted for a five-three split of forwards and backs. Marnus van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, and Kwagga Smith cover the pack, while Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, and Andre Esterhuizen provide backline depth.
“This is an exciting team, which we believe will give us the forward power we need and the spark in the backline against a quality All Blacks side,” said Erasmus.
“We have maintained consistency in selection to a large degree, but beyond that, we want to see what certain players can contribute in attack and how they perform against the top-ranked team in the world.”
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