KAAP HULLE OP
Rassie brings in Cape-born backs for Cape Town Test
HAS RECOVERED: Cheslin Kolbe is fit HAS RECOVERED: Cheslin Kolbe is fit
Image: Backpagepix
JESSE Kriel will lead a Springbok team sporting 10 changes in their quest for redemption in their second Rugby Championship clash with Australia innie Kaap this weekend.
The Wallabies stunned the Boks 38-22 in Johannesburg with coach Rassie Erasmus calling his team’s performance dogsh*t.
The loss also came with four big injury blows as regular captain Siya Kolisi hurt his knee, Pieter-Steph du Toit got concussed, while Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle) also limped off at Ellis Park.
Luckily for the Boks, they have gevaarlike depth, with Cape-born backline ysters Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Handre Pollard, Canan Moodie and Willie le Roux picked to start in a much-changed backline at Cape Town Stadium.
Aphelele Fassi, Manie Libbok and Andre Esterhuizen were dropped, while Arendse and Van der Merwe are out due to their injuries.
In the forwards, Jean-Luc du Preez and Franco Mostert replace the injured Kolisi and Du Toit at No.8 and flank respectively, with Marco van Staden retaining his spot on the side of the scrum.
The Boks deployed a new lock combination with RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje starting, while Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager move to the bench.
Thomas du Toit comes in at tighthead prop as Wilco Low also moves down to the bench.
Cobus Reinach retains his spot on the bench as back-up halfback alongside Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, as Erasmus decided to load his replacements with six forwards.
Of the vrag changes for the second Test, Erasmus said: “We lost four players to injury last weekend, which obviously had an impact on a few of our selections, but we also know where we went wrong against Australia last week, so we made a few changes that we believe will offer us what we need for this game.
“Damian and Cheslin have also recovered from their injuries.”
Bok team v Wallabies: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel (capt), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche Replacments: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu