Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has announced an unchanged 23-man squad for South Africa’s crunch Rugby World Cup clash with the All Blacks this Saturday.
The team took on World Cup hosts Japan two weeks’ ago, winning 41-7 and Erasmus has stuck with that side for the game between two of the tournament favourites.
It is in fact the first time that the Springboks have named the same 23-man squad for consecutive games since the 2015 World Cup.
That means that it is a front-three of Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx and Frans Malherbe, with Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert behind that trio in the engine-room.
Siya Kolisi captains the side from blindside flanker, with Pieter-Steph du Toit on the openside and Duane Vermeulen makes his 50th appearance for the Boks from No 8 in what is a strong back-row.
Faf de Klerk opens up at scrum-half and is partnered in the half-backs by Handre Pollard, with Damian de Allandre and Lukhanyo Am outside the pair in the centre positions.
A solid back-three finish up the starting XV with Makazole Mapimpi on the left-wing, Cheslin Kolbe on the right and Willie le Roux at full-back.
There is plenty to call upon from the bench also with the likes of Tendi Mtawarira, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies and Jesse Kriel among the replacements.
The All Blacks and Springboks have had some thrilling close games in recent times and Erasmus is expecting another tough test on Saturday.
“Our last three matches have ended in stalemate, one win each and a draw, for an aggregate score of 82-82. You couldn’t say there is a favourite. I think we have a healthy respect for each other’s capabilities but it will come down to a small moment to decide a big game in the end, I suppose. Our job is to focus on executing our plan and our skills to the best of our ability and hope that that is enough to overcome a New Zealand team that will be doing exactly the same,” he said.
This game is seen as the one that will decide which of these nations finishes top of Pool B and whoever wins will feel momentum building in their bid to claim the Webb Ellis Cup.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.
15. Willie le Roux
14. Cheslin Kolbe
13. Lukhanyo Am
12. Damian de Allende
11. Makazole Mapimpi
10. Handré Pollard
9. Faf de Klerk
8. Duane Vermeulen
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
6. Siya Kolisi (captain)
5. Franco Mostert
4. Eben Etzebeth
3. Frans Malherbe
2. Malcolm Marx
1. Steven Kitshoff
Replacements:
16. Bongi Mbonambi
17. Tendai Mtawarira
18. Trevor Nyakane
19. RG Snyman
20. Francois Louw
21. Herschel Jantjies
22. Frans Steyn
23. Jesse Kriel
