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Seven Springboks changes for tour-ending game versus Wales
By Liam Heagney
Rassie Erasmus has announced a Springboks team to take on Wales in Cardiff this Saturday that has seven changes from the XV which defeated England. The South Africans beat the English 29-20 at in London last weekend and they will now aim to complete their three-game Autumn Nations Series unbeaten with a team showing two backline alterations and five more switches in the pack against the Welsh.
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Brothers Jordan and Jaden Hendrikse have been named as the starting half-backs with Manie Libbok and Grant Williams excluded. They are the first set of brothers to appear together since Dan and Robert du Preez featured against Wales in Washington DC at the start of the 2018 season.
Up front, Ox Nche, Siya Kolisi an Jasper Wiese are the three repeat picks with Johan Grobbelaar, Thomas du Toit, Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert and Elrigh Louw added to the selection. Grobbelaar is at hooker for Bongi Mbonambi, after last featuring in a match day 23 against Australia in Perth, while du Toit returns at tighthead for Wilco Louw.
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The fit-again Kleyn, who last appeared in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, and Mostert are at second row in place of benched duo Eben Etzebeth and RG Snyman. Meanwhile, the only back row change is Elrigh Louw replacing Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is nursing a shoulder niggle. On the bench, where there is a six/two forwards/backs split, Cameron Hanekom is set to become the 12th Springbok to make his Test debut this season.
Erasmus explained in an SA Rugby statement: “This is our last match of the season and we are determined to finish the year on a positive note. We selected a squad that shows a good mix of experience and youth, which is crucial as we look to maintain some consistency in selection, while at the same time giving guys like Jordan and Cameron, who have been exceptional at training on tour, a chance to show us what they can do.
“Jordan played against Wales in June, and we are very excited to see how he dictates play with Jaden alongside him, and we are also delighted that Cameron is getting a chance to play after showing his class at training throughout the tour and for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship.
“Cameron also offers us a few options at loose forward as he can play No6, No7 and No8, and that will be valuable with two locks on the bench.”
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The coach added: “Wales are a proud nation with a world-renowned coach in Warren Gatland, and they will do everything to finish their campaign on a high note. We have experienced first-hand how a run of defeats can galvanise a team, and the fact that they will be playing at home with a passionate crowd behind them will inspire them even more – just as our supporters inspire us when we play at home.
“Obviously we would love to finish the tour unbeaten, but we are well aware of the fact that we have have a few close results against them over the years at the Principality Stadium. A lot can change in rugby with a change in confidence and mindset, and Australia is a perfect example of how things can change in the sport if one considers how well they are playing now compared to last year.”
South Africa (vs Wales, Saturday)
15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 10 caps, 30 points (6t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 39 caps, 111 points (18t, 3c, 5p)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 78 caps, 90 points (18t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 86 caps, 55 points (11t)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 23 caps, 85 points (17t)
10 – Jordan Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 1 cap, 7 pts (2c, 1p)
9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 19 caps, 19 pts (2t, 3c, 1p)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 33 caps, 10 points (2t)
7 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 12 caps, 0 points
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 91 caps, 60 points (12t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 77 caps, 15 points (3t)
4 – Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 7 caps, 0 pts (Ireland 5 caps)
3 – Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 22 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 0 points
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 39 caps, 0 points
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 75 caps, 105 points (21t)
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 0 points
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 60 caps, 0 points
19 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 130 caps, 30 points (6t)
20 – RG Snyman (Leinster) – 39 caps, 10 points (2t)
21 – Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls) – uncapped
22 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 38 caps, 70 pts (14t)
23 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 79 caps, 772 points (7t, 109c, 168p, 5dg)
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Can't see the Welsh getting close to the Boks. A massacre in prospect.
I'd love to see Wales pull a great performance out of the hat and keep it close somehow but realistically, I think it's going to be total carnage. I feel sorry for Wales.
Not really a surprising selection. You could say that this is a game in which Rassie could have been more radical with his starting 15, with an experienced bench as insurance. But to be honest there are not that many ways for him to do that within the tour squad. Maybe you could argue for starting Esterhuizen and/or Moodie.
That is a seriously loaded bench!
When I said Hanekom can play at 7 I was scoffed at.
Anyway. Glad he’s getting a start and against Wales. hope he plays well as he is a good replacement for Kwagga Smith. With more options.
Great management of minutes and giving the full squad a run.
Boks by 15.
He reminds me of Pierre Spies, doesn't he?
Interesting to see the selection. Du Toit needed the rest but expected Snyman to start with Kleyn as its an established combo. Also expected Steenekamp, Louw and Grobbelaar to start together as it also is established. Great to see Hanekom on the bench. Cant wait to see what his debut brings. Interesting that Fassi gets another go when Willie so close to milestone. No PSD but is he even needed given how bad this wales side is
I have an idea Rassie wants to keep Willie and his experience close for next year, so he stops Willie from retiring at the end of the year from international rugby. That 100 Test cap golden carrot. Besides Damian Willemse, the Boks fullbacks isn't quite there yet and they need that experience from Willie.
PSDT probably needs a good break. Oil change.