Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has named backrower Pieter-Steph du Toit at lock in place of the injured Eben Etzebeth in his lineup for the Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand at Ellis Park on Sunday (1am kickoff AEST).
Du Toit will combine in the second row with Ruan Nortje for the first of two Tests between the heavyweight teams after Etzebeth failed a fitness test on an injured knee.
Erasmus has made nine changes from the second Test against Australia two weeks ago.
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South Africa leads the tournament with two wins.
New Zealand and Argentina have a win each while Australia are 0-2.
Du Toit’s move to the second row also has been forced by injuries to locks RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Jean Kleyn, Salmaan Moerat and Lood de Jager.
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“Eben may have been ready to play this week if we really needed him,” Erasmus said.
“But we feel we will benefit more from selecting a player who is 100 per cent fit.”
Moerat likely will be “back in the selection frame next week,” Erasmus added.
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“We’re happy that things will ease significantly for us in that department going into the second Test (in Cape Town).”
Jasper Wiese returns to the backrow after a six week suspension and is joined in the backrow by captain Siya Kolisi and Ben-Jason Dixon, who has recovered from a knee injury.
Hooker Bongi Mbonambi and props Ox Nche and Frans Malherbe are also recalled among six changes to the pack.
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Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu retains the No.10 jersey and will partner Cobus Reinach in the halves.
Damian de Allende has been recalled to join Jesse Kriel in midfield with Kurt-Lee Arendse returning on the left wing.
Erasmus once again has gone for a six/two split of forwards and backs on the self styled ‘Bomb Squad’ bench.
Hooker Malcolm Marx is joined by props Gerhard Steenekamp and Vincent Koch and backrowers Elrigh Louw, Marco van Staden and Kwagga Smith.
Grant Williams and Handre Pollard are the backline replacements.
“It’s not ideal that we have so many injuries at lock but we are confident that he’ll (Nortje) combine well with Pieter-Steph at lock,” Erasmus said.
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“This will serve as a fantastic opportunity for him to prove what he can do against one of the best teams in the world.”
Wiese will “bring a lot of energy on attack and defence,” Erasmus said.
The South Africa lineup includes 12 players who featured in last year’s Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand which the Springboks won by a point.
“There is also no doubt they still will be hurting from the Rugby World Cup final and in addition to that they know how important a win will be to square things up and open up the Rugby Championship log,” Erasmus said.
“They’re a quality team with several players who have an X-factor and they constantly pose a threat to our defence so we have to start well and be on the top of our game in all departments to try to build on what we have done in the competition so far.”
The All Blacks will name their team on Thursday.
SPRINGBOKS (15-1): Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Ben-Jason Dixon, Siya Kolisi (c), Ruan Nortje, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche
Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard
