Boks make 4 changes to side that beat Kiwis

SOUTH Africa have named their team to face Wales as Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber makes four changes to the side that beat the All Blacks in September.

Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel and Herschel Jantjies, who played one game for the Scarlets in 2017, all start as the world champions kick off their autumn tour in Europe.

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. Kriel hasn’t played since August and tends to line up in midfield rather than on the wing.

“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.

“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 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 World Cup.”

Nienaber added: “Wales are a tough side to beat and our track record over here in the last few years is evidence of that.

“They may have lost against the All Blacks last week but this was in the absence of a number of key players, so this week will be completely different.

“They have a formidable pack and some equally experienced and high-calibre backline players, and they will play in cool and possibly wet conditions that they are well suited to, so we know what we are in for.”

South Africa: Damian Willemse; Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Herschel Jantjies; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Siya Kolisi, Kwagga Smith, Duane Vermeulen. Reps: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Elton Jantjies, Frans Steyn.