Staff Reporter.
Despite the fact that the Springbok management played down their goalkicking problems in the narrow defeat against Ireland, coach Jacques Nienaber has moved to rectify this by including Stormers pivot Manie Libbok on the bench for Saturday’s test against France in Marseilles.
The Springboks made several changes from the side that lost 19-16 in Dublin for their next tour match, including dropping winger Makazole Mapimpi, shuffling the front row and making an enforced change at lock for the injured Lood de Jager.
Willie le Roux returns to the fullback spot after a cameo in the second half that ignited the Bok fightback, but what is surprising is that the World Cup try-scoring sensation Mapimpi has been dropped to the bench for the game.
Instead, Cheslin Kolbe, who did duty at fullback and took over the kicking duties after Damian Willemse missed his first kick, moves to his more traditional wing, with Kurt-Lee Arendse shifting across to take Mapimpi’s spot in the starting line-up.
The midfield stays the same and Damian Willemse is retained, despite having a poor game and lacking confidence with the boot. At scrumhalf Faf de Klerk returns to the number 9 role, with Jaden Hendrikse dropping out of the 23 man squad, and French-based scrumhalf Cobus Reinach coming into the side on the bench.
The decision to introduce Libbok onto the bench has also meant the Springboks move away from their six-two split – or bomb squad – in favour of a traditional five-three split.
Up front Dublin try-scorer Franco Mostert comes into replace Lood de Jager, who limped off with an injury, while the front row shuffles and Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche move into the starting roles alongside Frans Malherbe.
Malcolm Marx and Steven Kitshoff are both on the bench alongside Marvin Orie, who will be the lock cover, while Kwagga Smith retains his place on the bench as utility forward cover.
Jasper Wiese, who was in doubt with a suspected concussion, has passed the concussion protocols and will take his place at No.8 for the match.
The Boks will want to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of the Irish, and improve their finishing, something that has been lacking all season against the dangerous French side.
France beat Australia 30-29 – where goalkicking was a vital part of the game – in their test match in Paris on Saturday.
SPRINGBOK TEAM
15 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 80 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon) – 21 caps, 53 pts (10t, 1p)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 57 caps, 60 pts (12t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 67 caps, 45 pts (9t)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 4 caps, 15 pts (3t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 24 caps, 22 pts (1t, 4c, 3p)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 43 caps, 25 pts (5t)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 19 caps, 5 pts (1t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 65 caps, 15 pts (3t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 72 caps, 40 pts (8t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 60 caps, 15 pts (3t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks) – 107 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 55 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 53 caps, 55 pts (11t)
1 – Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) – 16 caps, 0 pts
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 56 caps, 65 pts (13t)
17 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 68 caps, 5 pts (1t)
18 – Vincent Koch (unattached) – 39 caps, 0 pts
19 – Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers) – 8 caps, 0 pts
20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 28 caps, 15 pts (3t)
21 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 22 caps, 40 pts (8t)
22 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – uncapped
23 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 34 caps, 110 pts (22t).