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Springboks make two injury-enforced changes for 3rd Test decider

By Liam Heagney

03 Aug 2021

(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Jacques Nienaber has made two changes to his starting team as the Springboks seek to seal their tempestuous Test series versus the Lions in next Saturday’s decisive third Test in Cape Town. Beaten 17-22 in the series opener on July 24, the Springboks struck back in last weekend’s second Test, overcoming a 6-9 interval deficit to win 27-9 after keeping the tourists scoreless in the second half.

Nienaber had made three alterations to his run-on side for that second Test riposte, props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe earning promotion from the bench and Jasper Wiese being brought in from outside the first Test matchday 23 to start at No8.

He has now opted to make one less change for next weekend’s third Test. Injuries have forced out Faf de Klerk (muscle strain) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (shoulder), prising the door open for Cobus Reinach and Lood de Jager to be selected to start. The inclusion of de Jager at lock sees Mostert vacant the second row to line out in du Toit’s No7 jersey.

Ex-Lions coach Graham Henry on what they must do to clinch the series versus the Springboks

Nienaber has also altered the make-up of his bench, reducing the bomb squad to five rather than repeat the six/two forwards/backs split that helped turn momentum South Africa’s way in the second Test. Veteran Morne Steyn is the additional back this week.

“This group of players are among a handful of players in the history of South African rugby that have an opportunity to clinch a series against the Lions after winning the Rugby World Cup, and every player in this squad understands what a rare honour that is,” said Nienaber.

The star winger has not had a chance to show his natural ability so far in the Lions series. #RSAvBIL https://t.co/wriYYJgCbw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 3, 2021

“I don’t think one needs any more motivation than that to win this weekend. We are preparing for a physical encounter and we know that every small battle will count if we want to win the series. This match is as important to us as it is for the Lions, so we know it is going to be tight, and we will have to capitalise on every opportunity we have to score points and be effective in every area of our game.

Nienaber announced his Springboks team shortly after Warren Gatland had made six changes to his Lions team. Liam Williams, Josh Adams, Bundee Aki, Ali Price were included in the backs at the expense of Stuart Hogg, Anthony Watson, Chris Harris and Conor Murray while Wyn Jones and Ken Owens replaced Mako Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie in the pack.

SPRINGBOKS (vs Lions, third Test, Saturday)
15 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 64 caps, 60 pts (12t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse) – 16 caps, 40 pts (8t)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 17 caps, 20 pts (4t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Munster) – 49 caps, 30 pts (6t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 16 caps, 75 pts (15t)
10 – Handré Pollard (vice-captain, Montpellier) – 51 caps, 494 pts (6t, 79c, 98p, 4d)
9 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 15 caps, 35pts (7t)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 2 caps, 0 pts
7 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 42 caps, 5pts (1t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 53 caps, 30 pts (6t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks) – 47 caps, 25 pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) – 88 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 41 caps, 5pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers) – 39 caps, 40 pts (8t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 50 caps, 5pts (1t)

Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 36 caps, 30 pts (6t)
17 – Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls) – 45 caps, 5 pts (1t)
18 – Vincent Koch (Saracens) – 22 caps, 0 pts
19 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 4 caps, 0 pts
20 – Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Júbilo) – 9 caps, 5 pts (1t)
21 – Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers) – 13 caps, 25 pts (5t)
22 – Morné Steyn (Vodacom Bulls) – 66 caps, 736 points (8t, 102c, 154p, 10d)
23 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 9 caps, 5pts (1t)

Gatland goes for broke against the Springboks, just as he did in 2013 after second Test loss to the Wallabies forced series decider#CastleLionsSeries #LionsTour2021 #LionsRugby
https://t.co/R32YaVrFkC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 3, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

MP 4 minutes ago

England and their Chief problem

Cringe references to Helmetball. Couldn't get through the article.

12 Go to comments

Rooksie 8 minutes ago

Coach says there’s ‘a clear candidate' to replace Scott Barrett as captain

Totally agree on Leon replacing Penney bro ..

2 Go to comments

Rooksie 11 minutes ago

The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

Wow I guess u are south African bro ..if so go look at all the tapes before neutral ref's were introduced mate and u will see yhe worst cheating ref's ever in world rugby..just so happens the were from south Africa..all Danie Cravans KKK s mates ..u do know why they allowed lifting in the lineouts ..because u lot had been doing it for years and getting away with it ..and guess why neutral ref's were introduced because u lot just can't stop cheating..old mate Kiwi Bryce Lawrence was only paying u back for cheating in 95 world cup final. So get over it ..

8 Go to comments

Rooksie 24 minutes ago

Scotland's Gregor Townsend confirms Tom Jordan Glasgow exit

It's a real pity u really have no idea do u bro ..Ed the goose 🪿

11 Go to comments

Hellhound 27 minutes ago

The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

Still farting tripe?

8 Go to comments

Hellhound 27 minutes ago

The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

I completely agree. Different eras and different teams with the laws much changed since then. They are both great teams that deserve respect.

8 Go to comments

RC 43 minutes ago

Scotland's Gregor Townsend confirms Tom Jordan Glasgow exit

not sure I follow your point. Scotland are not tapping into their immigrant population to build diverse rugby squads, like Aussie and NZ did, they are actively seeking potential Scotland-eligible players like the Tuipulotu brothers and foreign players that cab be naturalized through residency and bringing them over to play in Scotland with an eye on them making it into the national team. That's what I believe is far from ideal for the health of international rugby. Another example, on the recent game between France and Japan, each team had a Tongan born and raised player named Tevita Tatafu on their teams.

11 Go to comments

Hellhound 44 minutes ago

Jake White: If I was England coach, I’d have been livid

There is always something happening that no one can prepare for like injuries and yes cards as well as the refs influence in the game. However, rain will be their only chance of a close game. This Boks team is out to destroy. I don't see it as a close game coming. Before the teams was announced I had it at 12-15 winning margin for the Boks, but after I pushed that to 20+.

The whole 23 match day squad is scary. The signs is there for anyone willing to see it. This team is much better than the team from the WC semi. Attack, defence, broken play, speed and strength. Just no comparison. No matter how much we wish for a close game, I honestly don't see that happening. Actually very few have your view point. That is fine too

17 Go to comments

Hellhound 53 minutes ago

South Africa will beat England at a canter

The AB's haven't had their best game against either the Irish or the English. They played better in the RC. They managed to pull those tight games through, which is a good sign for them unlike England who couldn't manage to close out tight games.

I do welcome your opinion even though mine is different. That is what keeps the game interesting. Different views makes discussions much more fun and interesting because sometimes people will bring things up not everyone thinks about.

15 Go to comments

JPM 55 minutes ago

Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

Thanks for writing some reasonable comments in front of CO and Co and their enraged Dupont bashing. See my below today comments on the latest Co conspiracy theory.

89 Go to comments

Willardi 58 minutes ago

'Who gives a crap?' Animosity towards the Springboks is proof of their dominance

Great article. What I so admire about Rassie is the curve balls. Picks a 5/3. Must have got Borthwick unawares that one. He had already mentally picked a 6/2 to deal with the Boks BS. It didn’t come so he goes 5/3. Borthwick should have said nope. Let’s go 7/1. But he wouldn’t. You have to be special to things like that.

16 Go to comments

NE 1 hour ago

The 'one difference' between Boks and the back-to-back All Blacks

Fully agree that Lawrence didn't alwats get it right at the breakdown in that QF game (and other areas of play such as players in front of the kicker). He allowed SA to crawl into rucks on all fours from anywhere, turned a blind eye to SA playing the ball on the ground and allowed SA to stick their hands in at the breakdown at will. A neutral referee would have resulted in a 21 - 6 winning scoreline for Australia. Simple as that.