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Springboks make four changes from side that battered NZ
By Ian Cameron
South Africa have made just one change to their starting pack to the one that took on New Zealand at Twickenham, with Jasper Wiese coming in for Duane Vermeulen at No.8 for his fourth start of the year.
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There are three changes in the backline to face Scotland on Sunday, as Damien de Allende and Jesse Kriel form a new-look midfield, while Cheslin Kolbe comes in on the left wing for Makazole Mapimpi.
The 70-cap Vermeulen has dropped to the bench, where he joins the likes of Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane and Willie le Roux, all of whom have over 60 caps. That leaves 349 caps-worth of experience on the bench alone.
“We are pleased with the squad depth we have built in the last few months, and we believe this group of players strikes the right balance to achieve the result we need against Scotland,” said head coach Jacques Nienaber.
“We are very excited about this occasion. We’ve been building for this World Cup for the last four years and we are thrilled to get our campaign started.
“We’ve been working hard in the last few weeks to make sure we are as prepared as possible going into this match and we are fully aware of the challenge that awaits us.”
Springbok team to face Scotland in Marseille:
15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 33 caps, 41 points (3t, 4c, 4pg, 2dg)
14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 55 points (11t)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 62 caps, 70 points (14t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 73 caps, 50 points (10t)
11 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 26 caps, 81 points (12t, 3c, 5pg)
10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 9 caps, 65 points (1t, 21c, 6pg)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 49 caps, 44 points (5t, 2c, 5pg)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 23 caps, 5 points (1t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 71 caps, 35 points (7t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 77 caps, 50 points (10t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 67 caps, 15 points (3t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 113 caps, 25 points (5t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 63 caps, 5 points (1t)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 63 caps, 85 points (17t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 76 caps, 10 points (2t)
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Replacements:
16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 62 caps, 65 points (13t)
17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 21 caps, 0 points
18 – Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92) – 62 caps, 5 points (1t)
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 28 caps, 5 points (1t)
20 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 14 caps, 0 points
21 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 70 caps, 15 points (3t)
22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 5 caps, 0 points
23 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 87 caps, 65 points (13t)
I feel a good old snot klap coming on
Me too!
A powerful side able to negate the Scottish back-line. The Scots will hold is for thirty minutes or so, then the floodgates will open. BOKKE!
SA already starting to rotate players to keep them fresh through tournament. I don't think this is our strongest team for a reason. Resting DV, AE and giving Moodie time to recover. Kleyn saved for Irish game.
Admin - why some players in bold others not?
The changes from the last team selection are indicated in non bold letters 👍
Solid midfield should be able to push Scotland to throw the ball wide. Hopefully Kobe and Arendse can contain Duhan and Steyn respectively. Think Finn will try to chip behind the Bok defensive line and get their fliers chasing and just put on aerial kick show to test the Bok fullback. Short of that, don’t see any serious concern for the Boks. Boks win by 15.
wonder how much territory, possession and front foot ball Finn will enjoy? Not much if warm-up games V ABs and Wales anything to go by. They will need high conversion rate of opportunities to be a threat to Boks.
Would like to know who has fielded the most experienced test team in history....anyone?
Probably 2015 All Blacks. Nonu, Carter and Mc Caw had more than 300 caps between them alone.
My mum
Decent team, Scots to aerially bomb the Bok backline with 2 small wingers.
2 smal wingers who in broken play are absolutely deadly.
Should be a good game!
Boks will know the Scots will try bomb them...it's been done before...Every thing Scotland has planned...Boks will be ready for ..Scots must rather worry what the Boks have planned..as they will.have something different and speacilly for the Scots. Boks by 15
Cannot see Scotland getting enough ball in dangerous areas on the front foot to be able to get near those wingers