By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made several changes to the team that succumbed to the All Blacks in the third round of the Rugby Championship.
Erasmus has made seven changes to his starting XV, while 16 players from the side that lost 24-17 in Auckland last week remain in the match-day squad.
The backline sees Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie in the centres, with Hooker and Cheslin Kolbe on the wings and Aphelele Fassi at fullback. Regular captain Siya Kolisi will lead the side from flanker.
In the forwards, Kolisi partners Pieter-Steph du Toit, and No 8 Jasper Wiese returns from suspension for the first time since Italy in the Incoming Series. The only change in the pack is at lock, where Lood de Jager lines up alongside Ruan Nortje. The front row remains unchanged with props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit and hooker Malcolm Marx.
The replacements’ bench continues Erasmus’ split strategy, with forwards Marnus van der Merwe (hooker), Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw (props), RG Snyman (lock) and Kwagga Smith (loose forward) providing coverage, and backs Grant Williams, Manie Libbok and Andre Esterhuizen ready to enter the fray.
Erasmus described the side as ‘exciting’ and capable of combining forward strength with attacking spark, adding that consistency in selection has been maintained while fresh energy is being injected where it can make the biggest impact.
“This is a vital match for our championship campaign, and every player knows we back them,” Erasmus said, noting that the squad is ready to test themselves against the world’s top-ranked team.
Springbok vs New Zealand Squad
Starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Cheslin Kolbe 13 Canan Moodie 12 Damian Willemse 11 Ethan Hooker 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 9 Cobus Reinach 8 Jasper Wiese 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit 6 Siya Kolisi (capt) 5 Ruan Nortje 4 Lood de Jager 3 Thomas du Toit 2 Malcolm Marx 1 Ox Nche; Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels 18 Wilco Louw 19 RG Snyman 20 Kwagga Smith 21 Grant Williams 22 Manie Libbok 23 Andre Esterhuizen.