Siya Kolisi offered Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry chance as South Africa make change at 10
Rassie Erasmus goes early with team announcement
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has responded to South Africa’s shock defeat to New Zealand by changing his fly-half for this weekend’s second Test in Cape Town. And there is also a potential recall for captain Siya Kolisi if he can prove his fitness.
The All Blacks sprang a major surprise by winning 33-16 in the first Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series in Johannesburg on Saturday. The visitors outscored the hosts by five tries to one and the victory has seen them replace the Boks at the top of the World Rugby rankings.
The result also ended a 12-match winning streak for the world champions and put New Zealand 1-0 up in the four-Test series.
Erasmus has responded by going early with his team announcement for this Saturday’s second Test at DHL Stadium and has turned to the experienced Handre Pollard who will take over at 10 from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who drops to the bench.
Pollard, who wasn’t involved in the first Test, should provide a steady hand on the tiller as South Africa look to recover from a sobering result.
Delivering under pressure
“There were a handful of positives and negatives last week, but the main thing that let us down was that we created so many chances, but mistakes at crucial times cost us,” said Erasmus.
“We’ll put in a lot of work this week to ensure that we are sharp in that regard this weekend because if we had used even some of those chances, the result could have been completely different.
“That said, we know New Zealand will be charged up after winning last week, and they will want to build on that. But the key for us will be to focus on our game and ensure that we are as effective as possible all around.”
Pollard will be partnered at half-back by Cobus Reinach who replaces Grant Williams at scrum-half after the latter picked up a knock at Ellis Park. Morne van den Berg provides scrum-half cover on the bench. There is a change on the wing too, with Ethan Hooker taking over from Cheslin Kolbe after he also suffered a niggle in the first Test.
“Handre has delivered for us under extreme pressure, and we feel that what he and Cobus have the potential to bring at the beginning of the game, and then have Morne and Sacha come on later with their different styles of play will be good for us this weekend,” said Erasmus.
The coach has also left the door open for Kolisi to return. The skipper is Kolisi bracketed alongside Paul de Villiers at flanker in the team announcement but should Kolisi make it through training this week, he will replace de Villiers.
If Kolisi runs out at DHL Stadium, it will be the most experienced Springbok team ever to take the field, with a combined total of 1012 Test caps in the starting XV.
There are a couple of significant landmark appearances. Utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit will become the 11th player in Springboks history to earn 100 Test caps, while prop Ox Nche will win his 50th cap.
Springboks team to face the All Blacks in second Test in Cape Town
South Africa v New Zealand: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Second Test, Cape Town, Saturday, (4.10pm BST)
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse; 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker; 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach; 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Siya Kolisi or Paul de Villiers, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (capt), 8 Jasper Wiese. Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
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