Rugby
Boks to bank on Vermeulen's experience─── MORGAN PIEK 07:25 Wed, 10 Aug 2022
The Springboks have made five changes to their starting XV for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks in Johannesburg.
Jesse Kriel starts on the wing in the place of the suspended Kurt-Lee Arendse, while Jaden Hendrikse starts at scrumhalf.
Upfront, Duane Vermeulen, makes his return from injury and starts at the back of the scrumhalf.
Bongi Mbonambi starts at hooker, while Ox Nché will play at loosehead prop.
The tighthead prop, Frans Malherbe, will earn his 50th Springbok cap.
Springboks coach, Jacques Nienaber, said he isn’t too concerned about Vermeulen’s battle hardness.
“If you played so many Tests or matches in your life, I don't think you can prepare for Tests against New Zealand. I think that this is where previous experience comes into play.
“That is one thing that Duane Vermeulen brings a lot of.
“It's nice to have him back and we're glad to see that he has recovered from his injury.”
Saturday’s Test at Ellis Park kicks off at 17:05.
Springboks - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Jesse Kriel, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nché.
Replacements - 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Willie le Roux.
All Blacks - TBA
