Elton Jantjies, Franco Mostert and Willie le Roux have been recalled to the South Africa XV that will face Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Elton Jantjies has been drafted in at fly-half for South Africa’s Test against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday in one of three changes from the side that narrowly beat Wales last week.
Jantjies was named on Tuesday to replace Handre Pollard in the starting line-up, while Franco Mostert will win a 50th cap as he takes over at lock from Lood de Jager.
Willie le Roux, rested against Scotland after a poor performance in the Rugby Championship against New Zealand in Brisbane at the start of last month, returns at fullback after Damien Willemse was hurt in Cardiff.
“Scotland will be a force to be reckoned with at Murrayfield, so it was important for us to maintain continuity within our squad, while at the same time giving Elton a chance to start,” explained coach Jacques Nienaber at a news conference.
“Elton has been training very well since the squad assembled before the British & Irish Lions Series and he’s performed well every time he earned a run, so we thought it was the right time to hand him a start.”
Veteran back Frans Steyn, who came off the bench early last week to inspire a 23-18 win over Wales, will become the first Springbok to play Test rugby for longer than 15 years if he gets an opportunity again on Saturday.
The 34-year-old, who scored a try in his debut against Ireland in 2006 when still a teenager, was named among the replacements for Saturday’s Test.
“Playing international rugby for 15 years is an extraordinary achievement and what makes this feat even more remarkable is that Frans continues to show his class despite being at the twilight of his career,” said Nienaber.
“His influence is equally valuable off the field and it is fantastic to have a player of his calibre guide the young players in the squad.”
The Bok coach said he anticipated another tough Test.
“Scotland have a quality team with a number of experienced players and a few British & Irish Lions players, so we are under no illusions about the challenge ahead,” Nienaber added.
“They are a physical side with solid set pieces, but they also have the skills to run the ball, so we’ll have to be accurate on attack and defence.”
Team:
15-Willie le Roux, 14-Jesse Kriel, 13–Lukhanyo Am, 12–Damian de Allende, 11–Makazole Mapimpi, 10–Elton Jantjies, 9–Herschel Jantjies, 8–Duane Vermeulen, 7–Kwagga Smith, 6–Siya Kolisi (capt.), 5–Franco Mostert, 4–Eben Etzebeth, 3–Trevor Nyakane, 2–Bongi Mbonambi, 1–Ox Nche
Replacements: 16–Malcolm Marx, 17–Steven Kitshoff, 18–Vincent Koch, 19-Lood de Jager, 20–Jasper Wiese, 21–Cobus Reinach, 22–Handre Pollard, 23-Frans Steyn.
© AAP
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