Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made wholesale changes to his matchday 23 for their Nations Championship clash against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld this weekend, it was revealed on Monday morning.
A total of 10 players who faced England this past weekend in that 45-21 victory have been retained, including Jesse Kriel, Damian Willemse, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Paul de Villiers, Ruan Nortje, Canan Moodie, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Zach Porthen, Ben-Jason Dixon, and Grant Williams.
It was expected as early as Sunday — after SA Rugby had posted the media schedule for the match in Pretoria — that Erasmus and co had already planned the look and feel of the team to face the Scots last week, barring considerations pertaining to injuries and suspensions.
That prediction became reality on Monday with the release of the team sheet, with captain Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Andre Esterhuizen, and Ethan Hooker not considered due to ongoing niggles.
As such, Erasmus will have a proper look at his depth this weekend, while also testing the form of a handful of players, such as fly-half Handre Pollard. The number 10 will reconnect with his Bulls teammate in the half-back combination as Embrose Papier makes a return to the Green and Gold at scrum-half for the first time since 2018.
“We have good depth in our squad, and this will be a great test for the team,” said Erasmus, via the SA Rugby statement.
“We told the players from the outset that we would give as many of them a chance as possible to play this season, while we are also trying to manage some players, while others are not available for selection this week. It was important to select a team with some continuity from last week, while bringing in players we believe will be the right fit for what we are expecting from Scotland.
“They had a good Six Nations campaign, and they come off a victory against Argentina away, so they will be psyched up going into this match.”
Kick-off for the clash is 5.40pm on Saturday.
South Africa matchday 23 v Scotland
Springboks starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (capt), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter; Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zach Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Elrigh Louw, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Quan Horn
UPDATE TO FOLLOW
