Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a much-changed side for Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld, making 10 changes to the starting XV that beat England this past weekend.
The selection reflects Erasmus’ stated goal of giving as many squad members as possible an opportunity to impress during a demanding international season.
Only five players who started in the 45-21 victory over England retain their places in the run-on side: Jesse Kriel, Damian Willemse, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Paul de Villiers and Ruan Nortje.
Du Toit will captain the side once again in the absence of injured skipper Siya Kolisi, while Willemse will build on the milestone of earning his 50th Test cap against England.
The backline has a fresh look, with Aphelele Fassi returning at fullback alongside wings Edwill van der Merwe and Canan Moodie. Kriel and Willemse form the midfield pairing, while veteran flyhalf Handre Pollard partners scrumhalf Embrose Papier.
Up front, props Boan Venter and Wilco Louw join hooker Johan Grobbelaar in a new front row, while Cobus Wiese packs down alongside Nortje in the second row. The loose trio features Du Toit, De Villiers and Evan Roos.
Erasmus said the selection balances continuity with the need to test squad depth.
“We told the players from the outset that we would give as many of them a chance as possible to play this season,” he said.
“We have good depth in our squad, and this will be a great test for the team.”
The Bok coach expects a stern challenge from Scotland, who arrive in Pretoria after a strong Six Nations campaign and a recent away victory over Argentina.
“They are a quality team who will test us in all areas of the game,” Erasmus said. “Matches against them are always tough, and we need to be switched on from the first whistle.”
South Africa has dominated the fixture historically, winning 25 of the 30 Tests between the sides. The Springboks have also won their last nine consecutive matches against Scotland, with the visitors’ last victory coming at Murrayfield in 2010.
Saturday’s match will be the first-ever Test between the two nations in Pretoria. Kick-off at Loftus Versfeld is at 5.40pm and the match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
A further milestone is on the horizon for Du Toit, who will move to within three caps of reaching 100 Test appearances if he takes the field this weekend.
Springbok team to face Scotland in Pretoria:
15 Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba) – 15 caps, 35 pts (7t)
14 Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 5 caps, 25 pts (5t)
13 Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 88 caps, 105 pts (21t)
12 Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 50 caps, 71 pts (7t, 9c, 4p, 2dg)
11 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 24 caps, 45 pts (9t)
10 Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls) – 85 caps, 825 pts (8t, 124c, 174p, 5dg)
9 Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls) – 7 caps, 0 pts
8 Evan Roos (DHL Stormers) – 8 caps, 0 pts
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain, Toyota Verblitz) – 96 caps, 70 pts (14t)
6 Paul de Villiers (DHL Stormers) – 1 cap, 0 pts
5 Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears) – 19 caps, 5 pts (1t)
4 Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 0 pts
3 Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers) – 29 caps, 10 pts (2t)
2 Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls) – 8 caps, 0 pts
1 Boan Venter (Fidelity Securedrive Lions) – 8 caps, 5 pts (1t)
Replacements:
16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 10 pts (2t)
17 Ntuthuko Mchunu (DHL Stormers) – 3 caps, 0 pts
18 Zach Porthen (DHL Stormers) – 4 caps, 0 pts
19 Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers) – 8 caps, 10 pts (2t)
20 Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 1 cap, 0 pts
21 Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 13 caps, 5 pts (1t)
22 Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers) – 29 caps, 40 pts (8t)
23 Quan Horn (Fidelity Securedrive Lions) – 1 cap, 5 pts (1t)
