Pollard at 10 for second Springbok Test against All Blacks
· Citizen
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus on Monday morning named his team for the second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town this Saturday (5.10pm).
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In the most significant changes to the side that lost 33-16 in the first Test at Ellis Park on Saturday, Handré Pollard comes in at flyhalf, with Cobus Reinach his scrumhalf partner.
Ethan Hooker has also been included on the wing in place of the injured Cheslin Kolbe, who misses out completely.
Up front Siya Kolisi has been bracketed with Paul de Villiers, depending on how the veteran skipper gets through training this week.
Pieter-Steph du Toit will retain the captaincy of the team.
Also, on the bench, Erasmus has opted for greater experience, dropping Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Zachary Porthen for Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit, while Lood de Jager takes over from Cobus Wiese.
There is also place for Cameron Hanekom, who comes in for Marco van Staden.
Morné van den Berg is also new to the bench, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu taking over from Manie Libbok as an impact player. Grant Williams, who started at scrumhalf last weekend, is carrying a niggle.
Du Toit will earn his 100th Bok cap this weekend, becoming the 11th players to reach the milestone, while Ox Nche will play his 50th Test.
“Cheslin and Grant (Williams) suffered niggles last weekend, which ruled them out of contention for selection, while we have bracketed Siya alongside Paul to allow us time to monitor how Siya comes through training this week,” said Erasmus when he named his team on Monday.
“The changes we made are in line with what we want to achieve on the field this week, and it is valuable that almost all of the players have been involved in the last two games, so they will be able to cope with the intensity and physicality of this match.”
Springbok team for second Test: Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit (capt), Siya Kolisi/Paul de Villiers, Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche. Bench: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu