Springboks team: Rassie Erasmus makes mass changes as Handre Pollard is handed the keys at fly-half while in-form Bulls star ends eight-year absence
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and fly-half Handre Pollard.
Rassie Erasmus has made 10 changes to the Springboks side that hammered England with Handre Pollard being handed the reins at fly-half.
Pollard comes in for Manie Libbok, who controlled the game excellently at Ellis Park, and is joined in the playmaking positions by Embrose Papier.
The returning Papier will be making his first Test appearance 2018 having worked his way back into the reckoning following a stunning couple of seasons for the Bulls.
Those two will be joined by an extra ball player in midfield with Damian Willemse shifting from full-back to centre and he will combine with Jesse Kriel.
Aphelele Fassi therefore features in the 15 jersey in a completely changed back three as Edwill van der Merwe and Canan Moodie start at wing.
Up front, captain Pieter-Steph du Toit, Paul de Villiers and Ruan Nortje are the only players to keep their spots – albeit the skipper shifts back to flanker from lock.
“We have good depth in our squad, and this will be a great test for the team,” Erasmus said.
“We told the players from the outset that we would give as many of them a chance as possible to play this season, while we are also trying to manage some players, while others are not available for selection this week, so it was important to select a team with some continuity from last week, while bringing in players we believe will be the right fit for what we are expecting from Scotland.
“They had a good Six Nations campaign, and they come off a victory against Argentina away, so they will be psyched up going into this match.”
Three remain in the pack
Evan Roos is given an opportunity at number eight alongside fellow loose forwards Du Toit and De Villiers while Cobus Wiese, Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar and Boan Venter come into the front five.
“All of the players have been working extremely hard at training, and they are fully aware of the threat Scotland poses. Many of these combinations have played together for the Springboks and for their provincial teams this season,” Erasmus said.
“Many of the players will also be playing at their home ground at Loftus Versfeld, so they know the field and conditions well.”
The Springboks have reverted to a 6-2 split against Scotland, although that might be because hybrid player Andre Esterhuizen is left out, as Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zach Porthen, Ben-Jason Dixon, Vincent Tshituka and 21 Elrigh Louw cover the forwards, while Grant Williams and Quan Horn are the backline replacements.
“They (Scotland) are a quality team, who will test us in all areas of the game, and they are well coached, so they will throw everything they have at us,” South Africa’s head coach added.
“Matches against them are always tough, and looking back, there have been some very close encounters between the sides in the past, so we need to be switched on from the first whistle, be accurate in all departments of the game, and use our opportunities if we want to get the desired result.”
Springside side to face Scotland
Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Canan Moodie, 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 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 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)
