Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber has made four changes to his matchday squad that defeated the All Blacks down under for their Test against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday (AEDT).
The changes mean starts for Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel and Herschel Jantjies.
Willemse, who has 14 Test caps, will earn his fourth start for the Boks when he runs out at fullback, while it will be Jantjies’ third Test in the No.9 jersey as he pairs up with No. 10 Handré Pollard in the halfback combination.
Willemse comes in for Willie le Roux in a rotational switch, and Jantjies takes over from Faf de Klerk who was ruled out of the squad due to a hip flexor injury. Kriel replaces Sbu Nkosi, who is yet to travel to the UK as he awaits the necessary paperwork.
Jantjies’ promotion to the starting line-up sees Cobus Reinach being drafted onto the replacements bench in the only change among the reserves.
“We selected this squad with an eye on maintaining consistency in selection from the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, but at the same time giving players who have been knocking on the door for a while now an opportunity to play,” said Nienaber.
“Damian and Herschel have featured off the bench a fair bit and this is a fantastic opportunity to give them a chance to start as we look to build our squad depth with an eye on the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“Jesse has also been training hard; he is very experienced and he brings the physicality that will be necessary against Wales.
“We know what we have in Willie and Faf, and it is important to give Damian and Herschel game time to develop and measure themselves in starting roles.
“Wales are a quality outfit, and this will present an exciting opportunity for all of these players to make their mark in what is a very important Test to set the tone for this tour, and also in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup.”
Nienaber said he expected Wales to pose a big threat. An understrength Welsh were outclassed by the All Blacks last weekend but have all their players available.
The Six Nations champions have not been beaten by the Boks in Cardiff since 2013.
“Wales are a tough side to beat and our track record over here in the last few years is evidence of that,” said Nienaber.
“We also edged them in the Rugby World Cup semi-final, so we know that this is going to be a hard grind of a Test.
“They may have lost against the All Blacks last week (54-16) but this result was in the absence of a number of key players, so this week will be a completely different proposition.
(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
“They have a formidable pack of forwards and some equally experienced and high-calibre backline players, several of whom played for the British & Irish Lions, and to add to this they will play in cool and possibly wet conditions that they are well suited to, so we know what we are in for.
“That said, we had a good training camp in France last week and some of the overseas-based players were in action for their clubs, so the player are back in the swing of things focused and excited to get back on the field.”
The Springboks will follow this game with Tests against Scotland and England.
Springbok team to face Wales
15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 14 caps, 5pts (1t)
14 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 48 caps, 60 pts (12t)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 23 caps, 25 pts (5t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Munster) – 55 caps, 35 pts (7t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 22 caps, 85 pts (17t)
10 – Handré Pollard (vice-captain, Montpellier) – 57 caps, 568 pts (6t, 83c, 120p, 4d)
9 – Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers) – 18 caps, 25 pts (5t)
8 – Duane Vermeulen (Ulster) – 58 caps, 15 pts (3t)
7 – Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Júbilo) – 16 caps, 5 pts (1t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 60 caps, 30 pts (6t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks) – 53 caps, 25 pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) – 94 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls) – 51 caps, 5pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers) – 45 caps, 45 pts (9t)
1 – Ox Nché (Cell C Sharks) – 6 caps, 0pts
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 43 caps, 45 pts (9t)
17 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 56 caps, 5pts (1t)
18 – Vincent Koch (Saracens) – 28 caps, 0 pts
19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 48 caps, 5pts (1t)
20 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 8 caps, 0 pts
21 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 18 caps, 40pts (8t)
22 – Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes) – 41 caps, 309 pts (2t, 64c, 56p, 1d)
23 – Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs) – 71 caps, 141pts (11t, 7c, 21p, 3d)
Double Agent
Guest
Boks roughly $1.30.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Whats the bookie odds? Dont be so sure.
biltong
Guest
Its our gameplan Jonty, we don't put teams away, unless Nienaber and Rassie allow our players to unleash the dogs of hell onto the ball we will always make it difficult on ourselves. Stopping the opposition from playing is only half of the equastion. To be honest I am getting to the point where if we continue this conservatie predictable rugby, I will stop supporting the Boks, it just isn't worth the frustration anymore. I have certain expectations from the Springboks, one of them is not losing games vs certain teams.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Ill say it.. Willemse is 1000% a Quota player.. . Ticked all the boxes, looked promising.. Got to Paul Roos.. Next black superstar... Yeah right.. He has the single highest contract ANY player at The Stormers.. No wonder our kids look abroad....he is a friggin avg player at best.. Only 23 years old.. Why didnt he have to do the hard yards through the system....WHY?
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Hehehe
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, yes, and yes. Marco the draught horse in the wet field, Cobus in red hot form in NH, and Fassi please. Kwagga is not a NH forward. But … DW getting a real chance here. If he takes it, good on him. If not, Frans on early.
Harry Jones
Expert
Still unconvinced. Brave as hell, but smaller than a back.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Yes Harry but you have always felt that Kwagga is ‘too small’ ; he played his part well against AB’s
WEST
Roar Guru
Yeah reckon and get the number one ranking back :laughing:
biltong
Guest
I am not a fan of Willemse, he doesn't handle pressure well in my view, having him at 15 concerns me because he is going to get a lot of bombs coming onto him. Would prefer Jesse Kriel at 15 and Fassi at wing. Cannot understand why Van Staden isn't starting in place of Kwagga Smith. Granted Kwagga played well vs the All Blacks, but van Staden is much more of a monster in contact than Smith and better on the ground ball. Would have preferred Reinach starting, Jantjies is good but Reinach in my view more attacking. Other than that I suppose it is a decent squad. Such a shame about injuries to players like PSDT, Snyman and Kolbe
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Well in that case Westie it is a golden chance for boklings to break the duck at Cardiff since 2013...
Wayne
Roar Rookie
World Rugby reduced back down to only 2 water carriers. It was only increased to 3 for the Lions series.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
You right hv… Also the crowd and anthem is incredible, looking forward to seeing it again.
Leckie
Guest
On paper, Boks win easily. On the field, Boks win easily.
hugo verne
Guest
Kwagga starting is a head scratcher. It was even more of a puzzle when he started at 8 because Vermeulen was on the IL. A dozen or more Welsh starters won't be starting. Best thing, as usual, will be the crowd singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.
Jonty Shonty
Roar Pro
Oh yes. Eskom. Where’s he?? Would have even preferred him on the bench in place of the moustachioed Vermeulen
Tim J
Roar Rookie
First I will start with why is Staden not starting? He should be starting IMO. Without their inspirational leader and Moriarty out also plus other injuries still out this could be nasty for Wales. Even though SA have struggled in Wales, just like the All Blacks the Boks will be too good against a severely weakened Welsh side. A strong Boks side that will be keen to impress, with the players picked it looks like the Boks want to play a similar game style as they did against the All Blacks in game two.
Harry Jones
Expert
Would’ve started Marco van Staden instead of Kwagga, and gone 6-2. But should be ok, this lineup.
Zulu
Guest
Wales we be pushovers. They are a bunch of softies .
Jonty Shonty
Roar Pro
haha. fair enough