South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has named his Springboks team to play the All Blacks in Wellington and included Handré Pollard to start at flyhalf.
Erasmus has also brought back Malcolm Marx and Lukhanyo Am to the starting line up making in all three changes and one positional switched confirmed in the starting line-up.
Pollard comes into the starting line-up and Elton Jantjies is set to play off the bench. Jesse Kriel is picked on the right wing as a result of the injury to Makazole Mapimpi, who has returned to South Africa to undergo further scans on his right knee.
As a result, Am takes Kriel’s position at outside centre and partners Damian de Allende in a new-look midfield combination.
The only change to the pack sees Marx rotating starting places with Bongi Mbonambi in the No 2 jersey and amongst the reserves, Ross Cronje swaps places with Embrose Papier as the backup scrumhalf.
Erasmus emphasised that the Springboks will have to reduce the amount of costly errors against New Zealand.
“We have to deliver a much improved performance against the All Blacks,” said Erasmus.
“Keeping our discipline and retaining possession will be key, because New Zealand’s ability to counter from turnover ball is well-known.
“That means we have to be patient, our decision-making must be good and we have to capitalise on the opportunities that we create. The traditional rivalry between the two countries mean we can expect a huge physical battle.”
South Africa
1. Steven Kitshoff 2. Malcolm Marx 3. Frans Malherbe 4. Eben Etzebeth 5. Franco Mostert 6. Siya Kolisi 7. Pieter-Steph Du Toit 8. Warren Whiteley 9. Faf de Klerk 10. Handre Pollard 11. Aphiwe Dyantyi 12. Damian de Allende 13. Lukhanyo Am 14. Jesse Kriel 15. Willie le Roux
Replacements : 16. Bongi Mbonambi 17. Tendai Mtawarira 18. Wilco Louw 19. RG Snyman 20. Francois Louw 21. Ross Cronjé 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Cheslin Kolbe
