Rugby
Boks make nine changes for All Blacks Test─── MORGAN PIEK 12:23 Tue, 27 Aug 2024
“There is also no doubt they’ll still be hurting from the Rugby World Cup final, and in addition to that they know how important a win will be to square things up and open up the Rugby Championship log.”
The Springboks have made nine changes to their team for Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks in Johannesburg.
The World Champions have gone with their strongest possible team, albeit there have been injuries, especially as lock, which has forced that hand of the Springboks.
Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ruan Nortjé will play at lock, while Jasper Wiese returns to start at 8th-man.
Ben-Jason Dixon, who can also play at lock, will start at flank but he will most certainly provide cover in the second row as well.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Photo: Morgan Piek
In the backline, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, retains the number ten jersey, while Aphelele Fassi will start at fullback. The experienced Handré Pollard will once again play from the bench.
The Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, said he is confident his team will be up to the challenge against the All Blacks who will fire from the start.
“We’ve no doubt they’ll come out all guns blazing,” said Erasmus.
“They’ll want to build winning momentum after bouncing back against Argentina following their disappointing opening game, and the rivalry between the Boks and All Blacks will motivate them even more.
“There is also no doubt they’ll still be hurting from the Rugby World Cup final, and in addition to that, they know how important a win will be to square things up and open up the Rugby Championship log.
“They’re a quality team with several players who have an x-factor and they constantly pose a threat to our defence, so we have to start well and be on the top of our game in all departments to try to build on what we have done in the competition so far.
Ben-Jason Dixon. Photo: Morgan Piek
“We’re under no illusions that this will be a completely different challenge to that which Australia posed and that the next two Tests will require a proper step up from us, but we are excited to see if we can take our game to the next level and give ourselves the best possible chance to stake a claim for the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019.
“So, we’ll give our best and hopefully that will place us on the correct side of the scoreboard.”
Saturday’s Test at Ellis Park will kick off at 17:00.
Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 2 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements – 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handré Pollard
All Blacks – TBA
