New-look backline for Boks

Published on

Rassie Erasmus has made five changes to the Springbok starting XV for the third Test against England at Newlands on Saturday.

Elton Jantjies, who played no part in the second Test, will start at No 10, with first-choice flyhalf Handré Pollard on the bench.

André Esterhuizen and Jesse Kriel have replaced Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am in the midfield. Esterhuizen earned his only Test cap against Wales in Washington DC at the beginning of the month, while Kriel came off the bench last Saturday, having missed out on selection for the first Test against England.

Warrick Gelant will make his first Test start at fullback, with Willie le Roux dropping to the bench.

There is one change to the pack, with Chiliboy Ralepelle starting at hooker, while 37-year-old Schalk Brits will make his first Test appearance since the 2015 World Cup if he comes off the bench.

Scrumhalf Embrose Papier, who made his Test debut against Wales, is also among the substitutes.

SUPERBRU: Springboks or England?

‘No one is out of the team because of a lack of form, the changes are due to our long-term planning for next year’s World Cup as we continue to build squad depth and capacity,’ said Erasmus, adding that he wants to see much more improvement from his team.

‘We made a lot of mistakes last week and this Saturday gives us the opportunity to rectify those errors and to continue to build on our team cohesion.’

ALSO READ: 15 Springbok stats and facts

Springboks – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 S’bu Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux.

England team

Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images

Post by