10 changes named in Springbok side for All Blacks clash, hatrick hero misses out!
The Springboks have expectedly rang the changes in their starting line up for their second Rugby Championships game over the All Blacks. READ | (WATCH) ‘YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE AN A*SE MATE, SHOW SOME RESPECT!’ AUSTRALIA COACH EDDIE JONES CONFRONTS REPORTER! After demolishing Australia 43-12 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, the Springboks face a quick turnaround to their much anticipated […]
The Springboks have expectedly rang the changes in their starting line up for their second Rugby Championships game over the All Blacks.
After demolishing Australia 43-12 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, the Springboks face a quick turnaround to their much anticipated clash against the All Blacks in Auckland.
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With 14 men already being sent to New Zealand early to acclimatise, it was never any secret that the Springbok team to face the All Blacks was going to be very different to the one that that beat the Wallabies to the sword in Pretoria. After that game, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick did hint that the 14 men players who were already in Auckland were told that they had no guarantees of a start, and that some of the players who played against the Wallabies would start too.
FIVE PLAYERS KEEP THEIR SPRINGBOK PLACE FOR ALL BLACKS CLASH
True to his word, five players keep their place from the Springbok team that beat Australia. Those are an unchanged front row of Steven Kitshoff, Bongi Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe. The other two who retain their place form part of the backline, in Lukhanyo Am and Willie le Roux. The 10 changes see a new captain come in, in Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth, who will form a familiar lock pairing with Lood de Jager. Kwagga Smith replaces Marco van Staden in the number six jumper, with Franco Mostert being deployed at blindside flank. English Premiership Player of the Year Jasper Wiese completes the forward pack.
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A new half-back pairing in Faf de Klerk and Damian Willemse is also formed, with Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe very capable replacements to hatrick hero Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie. Damian de Allende then also takes over from Andre Esterhuizen, to revive his centre partnership with Lukhanyo Am. The Springboks are set to take on the All Blacks at the Go Media stadium with kickoff set for 9:05 am South African time.