Influential pair Handre Pollard and Malcolm Marx are back in a strengthened Springboks team for their Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks in Wellington.
Coach Rassie Erasmus has made three changes to his run-on XV for Saturday’s clash as the visitors seek to avoid a third successive loss on the road.
Erasmus sprung a surprise when fielding five-eighth Pollard and hooker Marx on his bench for last week’s 23-18 loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Both are restored with Pollard expected to add an element of control to the playmaking role in place of Elton Jantjes.
Marx, who replaces Bongi Mbonambi, is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier forwards and has previously been a standout performer against New Zealand.
A third change was forced on Erasmus with winger Makazole Mapimpi having injured his knee against Australia.
Lukhanyo Am is recalled at centre with Jesse Kriel shifted out to the right wing.
There is a change on the bench where Ross Cronje is the backup halfback instead of Embrose Papier.
Erasmus is demanding a more clinical display from his team, having dominated for much of the contest at Brisbane but fell short due to basic mistakes.
“We have to deliver a much improved performance against the All Blacks,” Erasmus said.
“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.”
Erasmus raised eyebrows this week when he said his job could be on the line if they suffer a heavy loss to the red-hot All Blacks.
However, South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander endorsed his coach.
Alexander told reporters Erasmus will be the man to lead the Springboks at next year’s World Cup regardless of results in the short term.
SPRINGBOKS: Willie Le Roux, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff. Res: Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Ross Cronje, Elton Jantjes, Cheslin Kolbe.
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