Rugby
Rassie Erasmus opts for 7-1 split on the bench against Scotland─── ILSE SMALBERGER 11:51 Sat, 09 Nov 2024
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made eleven changes to the starting team that beat Argentina in the final Rugby Championship clash in Nelspruit in September.
The Springboks will face Scotland on Sunday for their November tour opener.
Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith will earn his 50th Test cap while locks Franco Mostert and RG Snyman will return to the team after long spells on the sidelines. Eben Etzebeth will captain the team with Siya Kolisi starting on the bench.
In a somewhat surprising move, Erasmus opted for a split of seven forwards and one back on the replacements’ bench. At the pre-match press conference, Erasmus conceded that it might seem an unusual decision.
5??0?? up for Kwagga Smith on Sunday as a couple of injured stalwarts return to the #Springboks team to face Scotland in Edinburgh - more here: https://t.co/4YzPoQb0qY ??#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/ADqPo2iyvL
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 8, 2024
“I believe it gives a bit of an edge, but of course, there is risk involved. There was a lot of thought behind it. We will play England in six days and hopefully, this will ensure that our forwards aren’t completely wiped out when we have to play England,” he said.
There are 12 survivors in the 23 from the squad that last faced Scotland in the pool stages of last year’s Rugby World Cup, namely Mostert, Snyman, Etzebeth, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese, Ox Nche, Grant Williams, and Willie le Roux.
Le Roux will run onto the field in his 98th Test match, while Makazole Mapimpi and Canan Moodie have been named as the wings, outside the midfield duo of André Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am. Jaden Hendrikse will partner with the experienced Handré Pollard in an exciting halfback pairing.
A number of familiar faces will run out against the #Springboks for Scotland on Sunday - more here: https://t.co/JdH1TBZVON ??????????????
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 8, 2024
“This is a seasoned and quality team and adding to that 21 of the 23 players have won a Rugby World Cup title, with some having won two, so they know what it takes to perform at this level,” said Erasmus.
The full Springbok team to face Scotland in Edinburgh are as follows:
15 – Willie le Roux
14 – Canan Moodie
13 – Lukhanyo Am
12 – Andre Esterhuizen
11 – Makazole Mapimpi
10 – Handre Pollard
9 – Jaden Hendrikse
8 – Kwagga Smith
7 – Elrigh Louw
6 – Marco van Staden
5 – Franco Mostert
4 – Eben Etzebeth (captain)
3 – Thomas du Toit
2 – Bongi Mbonambi
1 – Ox Nche
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp
18 – Vincent Koch
19 – RG Snyman
20 – Siya Kolisi
21 – Pieter-Steph du Toit
22 – Jasper Wiese
23 – Grant Williams
