By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made 10 changes to starting XV for the second Rugby Championship test against Australia in Cape Town on Saturday.
This comes after the Boks suffered a surprise 38-22 defeat to the Wallabies at Ellis Park last weekend.
Jesse Kriel will captain the side in the absence of the injured Siya Kolisi, while Kurt-Lee Arendse, Edwill van der Merwe and Pieter-Steph du Toit are also out because of injury.
Handre Pollard is back in the team at flyhalf, while Cheslin Kolbe and Damian de Allende return after injury absences last weekend.
Canan Moodie will also get a chance on the wing, while Willie le Roux is back in the mix at fullback, with both Damian Willemse and Aphelele Fassi missing out this week.
Up front, Jean-Luc du Preez will play eighthman, with Jasper Wiese still suspended, and be supported in the loose trio by veteran Franco Mostert and Marco van Staden, while there are two new locks in RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje.
Erasmus admitted that injuries forced his hand with some selections but hinted that changes at No 10 were also part of a broader adjustment after the Boks’ defeat.
“We lost four players to injury last weekend, which obviously had an impact on a few of our selections, but we also know where we went wrong against Australia last week, so we made a few changes that we believe will offer us what we need for this game,” Erasmus said.
The Bok coach added that Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s inclusion offers both insurance and opportunity: “We are determined to get things right this week … It will be good for a few guys to experience playing against one of the top teams in the world, especially as we continue to build our squad depth.”
Manie Libbok came under scrutiny following last week’s second-half collapse at Ellis Park, where his tactical kicking and decision-making were questioned. The shift back to Pollard, South Africa’s most experienced Test flyhalf, represents both a statement of intent and a return to a familiar formula as the Boks aim to level the series.
Springbok team to face Australia in Cape Town:
Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Jesse Kriel (capt), Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard, Grant Williams, Jean-Luc du Preez, Franco Mostert, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Bench: Marnus van der Merwe, Boan Venter, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.