Wiese gets nod in a powerful Boks side
LEICESTER number eight Jasper Wiese will start for South Africa in Saturday’s first Test against Wales.
The Tigers forward, who scored a try when Leicester beat Gallagher Premiership final opponents Saracens on June 18, features in a powerful Springboks side skippered by Siya Kolisi.
Kolisi is among nine players that started South Africa’s 23-18 victory over Wales in Cardiff last November.
The former Sale pair of scrumhalf Faf De Klerk and lock Lood De Jager also start as the threematch series opens at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber has opted for six forwards and just two backs among his replacements.
“We have a talented group of players, and we believe the match-day squad we selected ticks the boxes in terms of what we would like to achieve in the opening Test against Wales,” Nienaber said.
“We have a plan for the season in terms of giving some of the young players a chance to show what they can do at international level, while at the same time taking stock of the seasoned campaigners and where they are in terms of their rugby.
“Unfortunately, with such a big squad there will always be a few unlucky players, but it is a fine balancing act to ensure we win Tests, build squad depth and transform as a team in the way we play.”
South Africa: D Willemse; C Kolbe, L Am, D De Allende, M Mapimpi; E Jantjies, F De Klerk; O Nche, B Mbonambi, F Malherbe, E Etzebeth, L De Jager, S Kolisi (capt), F Mostert, J Wiese. Replacements: M Marx, S Kitshoff, V Koch, S Moerat, E Louw, K Smith, H Jantjies, W Le Roux.