Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a hugely experienced squad to face the All Blacks in the second Test of the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Springboks have made a handful of changes to the side that started last weekend’s 41-35 defeat to New Zealand in Johannesburg, with captain Siya Kolisi set to return after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Captain Kolisi had earlier been bracketed with Paul de Villiers in the loose-forward combination, but Erasmus confirmed that the experienced flanker has recovered sufficiently to start and reclaim the captaincy.
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He will form the loose trio alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese, with Du Toit who was initially handed the captaincy in the selection announcement.
The decision allows Du Toit to concentrate fully on his 100th Test appearance rather than carrying the additional responsibility of leading the team during a major personal milestone.
“Siya will be starting and he will captain the team,” Erasmus said.
Du Toit will become only the 11th player in Springbok history to reach 100 Test caps, while prop Ox Nche is also set to reach a significant milestone with his 50th appearance for South Africa.
The starting XV otherwise retains much of the combination that featured in the 33-16 defeat in Johannesburg.
Damian Willemse starts at fullback, with Kurt-Lee Arendse moving to the right wing and Ethan Hooker coming into the back three on the left wing after Cheslin Kolbe suffered a niggle in the opening Test.
In midfield, Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende continue their partnership, with De Allende having already reached 100 Test caps last weekend.
Handre Pollard returns at fly-half and will partner Cobus Reinach at scrum-half, while Jasper Wiese anchors the back row at No.8.
The forward pack features the imposing combination of Kolisi, Du Toit and Wiese, with Ruan Nortje and veteran Eben Etzebeth forming the second row.
Up front, Wilco Louw starts at tighthead prop, Malcolm Marx continues at hooker and Ox Nche starts at loosehead prop.
The bench also contains significant experience, with 39-year-old Deon Fourie included alongside Gerhard Steenekamp and Thomas du Toit.
Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen and Cameron Hanekom provide further forward options, while Morne van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu cover the backline.
Erasmus believes the depth and variety available to him could prove crucial during the final stages of what is expected to be another physically demanding Test.
“Handre has delivered for us under extreme pressure, and we feel that what he and Cobus have the potential to bring at the beginning of the game, and then have Morne and Sacha come on later with their different styles of play will be good for us this weekend,” Erasmus said.
The Springboks will be aiming to bounce back after blowing a 16-point lead in Johannesburg. Their ability to manage momentum and remain composed for the full 80 minutes will be central to their chances against an All Blacks side that showed its attacking threat in the final quarter of the first Test.
Erasmus says the squad has already identified the areas that need improvement.
“One could see the hurt on everyone’s faces after Saturday’s match, and we know what we have to do to bounce back strongly this week,” he said.
With Kolisi returning, the Springboks will field their most experienced starting XV ever, with a combined 1,012 Test caps if he takes his place on the field.
Springboks XV to face All Blacks
15. Damian Willemse
14. Kurt-Lee Arendse
13. Jesse Kriel
12. Damian de Allende
11. Ethan Hooker
10. Handre Pollard
9. Cobus Reinach
8. Jasper Wiese
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
6. Siya Kolisi (captain)
5. Ruan Nortje
4. Eben Etzebeth
3. Wilco Louw
2. Malcolm Marx
1. Ox Nche
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
