Pollard returns as Erasmus makes 10 changes to Bok starting XV for Scotland
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made 10 changes to his starting team for Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Scotland in Pretoria.
In total, 10 of the players in the match-23 from the England Test were retained as the Bok coach looks to balance consistency with spreading the workload within his squad for the challenging season, which also includes the series against New Zealand in August and September.
The five players retained in the starting XV that defeated England 45-21 last weekend are Jesse Kriel, Damian Willemse, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Paul de Villiers, and Ruan Nortje.
Du Toit will retain the captaincy he took over following the late withdrawal of Siya Kolisi.
The other players who will get another run are Canan Moodie, who moves from the bench to the starting team, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Zach Porthen, Ben-Jason Dixon, and Grant Williams, who have been named on the bench.
The backline named by Erasmus has a fresh look to it, with Aphelele Fassi forming a back three with Edwill van der Merwe and Moodie, while Kriel joins forces with Willemse in the midfield, and the halfback duo of Handre Pollard and Embrose Papier will dictate play on their home ground at Loftus Versfeld.
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The changes to Erasmus’ forward pack will see Boan Venter, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw form the front row, while Cobus Wiese will partner up with Nortje at lock.
De Villiers, who stepped in as a replacement for the injured Kolisi in his first Test last week, will have another run in the green and gold in a loose trio with Du Toit and Evan Roos.
The replacements bench features a split of six forwards and two backs, with Wessels joining up with Ntuthuko Mchunu and Porthen in the front row, while Dixon, Vincent Tshituka, and Elrigh Louw will provide additional forward cover.
The two backline players on the bench are Williams and Quan Horn.
“We have good depth in our squad, and this will be a great test for the team,” said Erasmus.
“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, so 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.”
Erasmus added that many of the combinations have played together for the Springboks and for their provincial teams this season.
“Many of the players will also be playing at their home ground at Loftus Versfeld, so they know the field and conditions well.”
Erasmus praised Scotland as a quality team which will test the Boks in all areas of the game.
“Matches against them are always tough, and looking back, there have been some very close encounters between the sides in the past, so we need to be switched on from the first whistle, be accurate in all departments of the game, and use our opportunities if we want to get the desired result.”
