Roos, Etzebeth to start for Springboks at Twickenham
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has made eight changes and two positional switches to his match-day squad to face England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Nienaber has decided to give a runout to a handful of South Africa ‘A’ players and Canan Moodie, who joined the team as reinforcements this week.
Nienaber’s made six changes to his starting team with centre Jesse Kriel, winger Makazole Mapimpi, No 8 Evan Roos and lock Eben Etzebeth back in the mix.
Damian de Allende moves from outside centre to inside centre where he partners up with Kriel, and Kurt-Lee Arendse will start at right wing after playing on the left against Italy in Genoa.
There were also four changes on the replacements bench, which will again feature the more traditional split of five forwards and three backs, with SA ‘A’ captain Thomas du Toit, Marco van Staden, Jaden Hendrikse and Moodie being drafted in.
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“With this Test falling outside the international Test window, we knew we would have to make changes to the team, but we are pleased with the depth we have built in the wider squad in the last few months, and it is paying off for us this week,” said Nienaber.
“Every player in this squad has played Test rugby, and most of them have received game time at this level thanks our selection plan throughout the season and the SA ‘A’ games against Munster and Bristol.”
Nienaber added: “It doesn’t get bigger than playing against England at a packed Twickenham in the last Test of the season for a player, and one can sense the excitement among the players about this occasion.”
Nienaber expected a massive onslaught from England, who snatched a 25-25 draw against New Zealand last week after being edged by Argentina and then registering a convincing victory against Japan.
“England will enter this match with the same mindset as us – to finish the season on a high note after a tough November campaign, and to build momentum with an eye on the World Cup,” said Nienaber.
