Boks make late changes for final bash

TEAM UPDATE: The South African team to face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday has undergone a couple of late changes.

The world’s top-ranked team, the Springboks, have opted to ‘rest’ star prop Ox Nche.

The 29-year-old, who suffered a deep cut just above the knee in the win over England last week, was initially named to start at the Millennium Stadium in the Boks’ last match of the year.

However, on Wednesday has was replaced by Wilco Louw – who will start at tighthead prop, with Thomas du Toit moving to loosehead.

“Ox has been a key player for us this season and, given his high workrate over the last few months, we opted to rest him for this clash,” said Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus.

“Wilco started last week’s match, and he’s been training well this week, so it makes sense to include him in the starting team and move Thomas to loosehead prop.

“It also maintains the consistency we have in the front row among the replacements.”

Erasmus also revealed that four players who were not included in the matchday squad would return home on Wednesday to spend time with their families before returning to their respective clubs and franchises.

Utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is nursing a shoulder niggle, returned home on Monday, while the other four players returning home are Kwagga Smith (loose forward), Lukhanyo Am (centre), Andre Esterhuizen (centre) and Makazole Mapimpi (wing).

South Africa – REVISED: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Handre Pollard.

Date: Saturday, November 23
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17.40 (19.40 SA time; 17.40 GMT)
Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley, Damian Schneider
TMO: Andrew Jackson