Duane Vermeulen will lead an overhauled Springboks team to face the All Blacks in their Rugby Championship Test in Wellington on Saturday.
As expected, coach Rassie Erasmus has changed his starting team almost entirely from that which beat the Wallabies 35-17 in Johannesburg.
Twelve of the run-on XV are players who arrived in New Zealand last week to begin preparations to face the world champions.
The three players retained to start are winger Makazole Mapimpi, flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and lock Eben Etzebeth.
The bench comprises seven players from last week’s game, along with lock RG Snyman, who lost a battle with Etzebeth for a starting berth.
Six of the 23-man squad are offshore-based players including four starters – fullback Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), winger Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse), halfback Faf de Klerke (Sale) and lock Franco Mostert (Gloucester).
Le Roux and Kolbe both scored tries in last year’s 36-34 upset of New Zealand in Wellington, with le Roux also spending a stint in the sin bin during the dramatic final minutes.
Earning the captaincy is a milestone for respected No.8 Vermeulen, the 46-Test veteran who hasn’t played a Rugby Championship Test for five years.
His Springboks career was in doubt when he left the Stormers for contracts in France and Japan following the 2015 World Cup.
The 33-year-old returned to the Stormers last year and played seven Tests although he missed the entire Rugby Championship with injury.
Erasmus said Vermeulen’s appointment was about building a group of leaders within his squad heading to the World Cup.
“It is important that we continue to build on our leadership for this important year, especially while our regular skipper, Siya Kolisi, is out of action because of injury rehabilitation,” Erasmus said.
“Duane is an experienced captain and we have a strong group of leaders in the team, which includes Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who have both captained the Springboks before, as well as a number of other franchise captains.”
Springboks (15-1)
Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handré Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff.
Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjes, Frans Steyn, Jesse Kriel.
Ivan Nel
Roar Rookie
Might be the strongest Bok15 put out for some time, my only gripes being Malherbe (lazy in the loose), and De Allende (inconsistent). If DDA doesnt perform at 12 i suspect youll see Frans Steyn slotting in there just after the half time oranges. Interesting to note, by playing Kitshoff, Marx and Vermeulen - Rassie has put 3 capable ball steelers on the park at the same time, giving him the freedom to set Kwagga loose - if he has the freedom to play his 'Lions' brand, what a mouth watering prospect that can be. Add to that PSDT in the form of his life, and the return of the workhorse Mostert - The Boks have plenty of energy up front, and solid bench to counter the All Blacks final 20minutes. Stock up on the biltong and Castles - its going to be another elbow biter
Hi RT, I think Rassie is doing a good job, yet the reality is his win rate is just a tad over 50% and the Springboks are yet to show consistency.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Biltongbek, the anticipation of and AB v Bok Test always increases the generation of adrenaline. As a devoted AB supporter of course I’ll be willing on the Men in Black, but I have to say I have a healthy regard for the Springboks and there coach Erasmus. There are going to be some sore bodies come Sunday morning. Good luck for Saturday .... just not too much of it ..
regardless of how strong the team seems, it is all about the rugby smarts and players recognising the important moments in the match. Without that they will fail in Wellington.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
This is a strong looking team. Power in the pack, some good back rowers, De Klerk-Pollard are a pair of excellent playmakers and Kolbe is for me one of the most dynamic players in the sport. Very interested in seeing what this team can do away to the All Blacks.
Wal
Roar Guru
That is a really good looking team, with the 12 that started against Aussie there is some real depth and young talent coming through SA rugby ATM. Big test for Mounga to see if he can control the match and whether SBW and Goodhue works as pairing, particularly in defence. Might be some gaps in the middle for both teams to exploit. Getting that good old gut churning feeling before a proper Boks - AB's test match :)
Flyman
Roar Rookie
Agree its a strong team on paper, just hope that they can win the mental battle.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Cheika's selection and the comparison of last weeks results makes the Pumas Wallabies match very interesting for me. JOC's reappearance also. i think folks are a bit tired of seeing Foley trying to run the game though I'd have like to see White remain as well. But these are odd times, high class trials in a way.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
True Waxy, SA is very strong atm and they are my pick for RWC. Erasmus was right to play the team he did. We will be lucky not to come last in this championship!
stillmissit
Roar Guru
CR: it is a strong team and will be the game of the Championship I am betting. I would not be worried about SBW he is not as fast or strong as he was and your centres are excellent. It is his offloading you have to be aware of he still has that and better than anyone else in World rugby. Good luck, I am hoping the Boks can do it and it holds a ton more interest than our game with the Pumas.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Yes. I imagine Pollard will play the full 80 minutes. But if he goes down Frans Steyn has plenty of experience to slot in at 10.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Well only 3 players retained from the run on team that beat the WBs so easily in J'Berg. That tells you everything about SA depth atm and how they rate the WBs.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Strong team. I'm just a bit nervous about our centre pairing against SBW and Goodhue, and how they gel with the back 3, and how the whole back 5 go in defence against the AB centres, Ben Smith, Ioane and BBBB. Those back 3 can match our speedsters for pace, unlike the back 3 of the Wallabies last week. If the Boks can boss the forwards, snipe the fringes through 9 & 10 and control the game with 10 man rugby. Then spread it wide to catch an unlikely out of position AB with an overlap who's been sucked into the middle; then we have a chance of repeating last years win. Pollard's boot needs to be on target and take all the points. But it'll come down to holding out the AB back 3... or back 5, and keeping it tight while maintaining the vision to take and execute every opportunity. I hope Frans Steyn gets onto the field with at least 30+ minutes to go again, like last week. He can match SBW in everything and more with the addition of his boot. De Allende just needs to defend well, (which doesn't mean just tackle well) but cut space and stop that offload when he's on, and look for opportunities through the middle. Am should be solid.... I hope.
Flyman
Roar Rookie
Interesting........ who is the backup 5/8? Frans Steyn?