Springboks latest: Rassie Erasmus makes another late change as back returns ahead of schedule
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and an inset of Ethan Hooker.
The Springboks have been forced into a late change to their starting XV for the clash against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld.
Canan Moodie has withdrawn from the matchday 23 and has been replaced in the starting XV by Ethan Hooker, who makes his return from injury.
Latest Springboks setback
The Springboks have stated that Moodie has withdrawn due to a ‘niggle’ but did not disclose the nature of the Bull outside back’s injury. His setback does mean that Hooker returns a week ahead of schedule after he missed the back end of the Sharks season through a dislocated shoulder, sustained in the United Rugby Championship clash against the Ospreys.
Moodie adds to a growing Springboks injury list that includes the likes of Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi, the former suffering an injury in the victory over England at Ellis Park last weekend.
Meanwhile, the clash against Scotland in Pretoria will see Rassie Erasmus become the most-capped Springboks head coach of all-time. The former flanker has reached the total in two spells (2018 and 2019 and 2024 to the present day) to surpass the previous record of 54 tests established by 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White from 2004 to 2007.
Erasmus also held the title of director of rugby between his head coach roles and was always intimately involved in the team’s preparation with head coach Jacques Nienaber. Saturday marks the 94th Springbok match played under his guidance since his return to the South African Rugby Union (SARU) in 2018.
Updated: Springboks side to face Scotland
Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (c), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zach Porthen, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Elrigh Louw, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Quan Horn
Date: Saturday, July 11
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17:40 local (16:40 BST, 15:40)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (NZR), Andrew Brace (IRFU)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
FPRO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
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