Rugby Championship: 'Hurting' New Zealand to meet Boks for the first time since RWC final

JOHANNESBURG - The Springbok team to play New Zealand in the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday has been announced.

Coach Rassie Erasmus made nine changes to the side that beat Australia 30-12 in Perth two weeks ago.

Amongst the forwards, the most notable omission is that of injured lock Eben Etzebeth, who hasn’t been named in the matchday squad but could still be included on the bench in place of one of the loose forwards, if he all goes well during his assessment by the medical staff on Tuesday evening.

In his absence, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ruan Nortje will start as the lock combination while Ben-Jason Dixon gets another chance to impress in the number seven jersey alongside captain Siya Kolisi at flank with world cup winner Jasper Wiese making his return to the side for the first time this year after completing his suspension.

“It’s not ideal that we have so many injuries at lock, but we are pleased with the way Ruan stood his man in our last match, and we are confident that he’ll combine well with Pieter-Steph at lock,” said Erasmus.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will face the biggest test of his fledgling international career after he was named at flyhalf alongside Cobus Reinach while the familiar pair of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel are in midfield with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe on the wings.

Another big call was made at fullback, where Aphelele Fassi will start ahead of veteran Willie le Roux.

The match will be the first meeting between these two nations since last year’s Rugby World Cup final, where the Boks reigned supreme with12-11. Erasmus said he expected an immensely physical approach from the All Blacks who have somewhat of a point to prove against their old foe.

“We’ve no doubt they’ll come out guns blazing. 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,” Erasmus said

Kick off on Saturday is at 17:00.

Springbok team to face New Zealand in Johannesburg:

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 (captain)

5 – Ruan Nortje

4 – Pieter-Steph du Toit

3 – 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 – Handre Pollard