Strong Springbok side selected
TOKYO: South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus yesterday made just one change from the starting side that drew with New Zealand in July when he named his team for Saturday’s crunch World Cup clash against the world champion in Yokohama.
Siya Kolisi, who missed the 1616 Wellington draw because of injury, will captain the side at openside flanker in place of Kwagga Smith to make up an imposing back row with No 8 Duane Vermeulen and blindside Pieter Steph du Toit.
Otherwise, Erasmus has stuck with the side that last played the All Blacks for a match that is likely to decide which team wins pool B and enjoys the potentially relatively easier path to the final.
The matchday squad was identical to the one Erasmus put out for the 417 victory over Japan in Kumagaya this month that kept the Springboks unbeaten this year.
‘‘We’ve found some consistency and some momentum in a number of ways this season and one of them is in selection,’’ Erasmus said.
‘‘We have 31 players in the squad, any of whom I would be happy to select . . . but this is a lineup that has worked well as a starting combination and one with real momentum to come from the bench.
‘‘We’re continuing to develop and new players are always pushing a claim but we’ve prepared well and we’re looking forward to what will be another extremely close match.’’
Prop Trevor Nyakane retained his place on the bench despite question marks over his fitness, while Cheslin Kolbe held on to his place on the right wing despite the form of Sbu Nkosi.
There was no place for Smith or Nkosi on the bench with Francois Louw covering the back row and Jesse Kriel the back three.
The versatile 32yearold Frans Steyn will cover the centres and act as backup to starting first fiveeighth Handre Pollard with Elton Jantjies missing out altogether despite starting tests against Argentina and Australia in the No 10 shirt this year. — Reuters