CONFIRMED: Flyhalf setback forces Rassie into a reshuffle
INJURY BLOW: The Springboks have been forced into late changes following the setback of veteran flyhalf Handré Pollard ahead of Saturday’s second Test of the Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
The two-time World Cup winner will miss the crucial Test on Saturday after he picked up a niggle at training on Wednesday, and after being assessed on Friday morning, the decision was made to withdraw him from the team.
According to Netwerk24, the 32-year-old sustained a calf injury.
Pollard was named in the starting XV on Monday, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu initially selected on the bench after starting last week’s 16-33 defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park.
However, Pollard’s injury will see Feinberg-Mngomezulu return to the starting XV, with Manie Libbok moving onto the bench.
There is also a change on the wing.
Kurt-Lee Arendse, who suffered a concussion during last weekend’s defeat, will miss the showdown in Cape Town and will be replaced by Cheslin Kolbe.
The 32-year-old Kolbe was initially ruled out of the Test after struggling with a hamstring and ankle injury, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed on Monday following the team announcement.
However, Kolbe has recovered well and is set to return to the starting XV.
Kolbe has been the in-form kicker in the Boks squad, kicking a conversion and three penalties last weekend.
The late changes add another layer of intrigue to a must-win encounter for the Springboks, who need a victory in Cape Town to keep their hopes of winning the Greatest Rivalry alive.
South Africa – revised: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok.
Date: Saturday, August 29
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT; 03.10 NZST Sunday, August 30)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
