|
Duane Vermeulen and Warren Whiteley return to the Springboks' starting XV alongside Siya Kolisi in a new-look back-row combination for the Test against England at Twickenham on Saturday. Rassie Erasmus has made seven changes to the starting side that lined up against New Zealand in Pretoria three weeks ago, with no Europe-based players considered for selection because the match falls outside the international Test window. The reshuffled loose trio features Whiteley at No 8 with Vermeulen at blindside flank and Kolisi on the openside, a selection that sees Pieter-Steph du Toit, who has played mostly in the No. 7 jersey this year, move to the second row. Whiteley has recovered from the groin injury that ruled him out of the Boks' past two Tests, against the Wallabies in Port Elizabeth and the All Blacks in Pretoria, while Vermeulen missed the Rugby Championship having played a pivotal role in South Africa's 2-1 series win over England in June. Du Toit replaces Franco Mostert to resume his second row partnership with Stormers teammate Eben Etzebeth, while Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx and Frans Malherbe have been retained in the front-row.  Lood de Jager has been included on the bench and he is set to make his first Springbok appearance of 2018. The lock has missed all the Springboks' matches this year as a result of a lengthy injury layoff. There are also three changes to the backline. Damian Willemse is set to make his starting debut for the Springboks at fullback, after three appearances off the bench. He replaces Willie le Roux, while Sbu Nkosi returns to right wing in place of Cheslin Kolbe. Ivan van Zyl, who made his only start against Wales in Washington DC in June, gets the nod at scrumhalf. Springboks Team to Face England 15. Damian Willemse, 14. Sbu Nkosi , 13. Jesse Kriel , 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10. Handré Pollard, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Warren Whiteley, 7. Duane Vermeulen, 6. Siya Kolisi (captain), 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Malcolm Marx, 1. Steven Kitshoff . Replacements: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Thomas du Toit, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. R.G. Snyman, 20. Lood de Jager, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Elton Jantjies, 23. André Esterhuizen.
|
