The coach of the world champions made twelve changes to his starting XV compared to the victorious one in Scotland.
South Africa, the reigning world champion, made twelve changes to the starting XV to face England on Saturday at Twickenham, six days after the 32-15 victory in Scotland.
Only second-row Eben Etzebeth, hooker Bongi Mbonambi and pillar Ox Nché retained their place in the team announced Thursday by coach Rassie Erasmus.
The idea was “to field a fresh team” while there is only “six days between two difficult matches”he justified himself. There may be consequences “but we rotated our squad throughout the season”he stressed.
Homecoming
The Springboks, winners of the Rugby Championship this summer, launched their tour of Europe with a calm victory on Sunday at Murrayfield, where Etzebeth played the entire match.
The challenge promises to be tougher on Saturday in Twichenham for the reunion with the XV de la Rose, which the South Africans narrowly beat 16-15 in the semi-final of the 2023 World Cup in France.
Steve Borthwick’s team remains on four consecutive defeats: three against New Zealand and a last against Australia (42-37), last Saturday in London.
The South African XV : Fassi – Kolbe, Kriel, de Allende, Arendse – (o) Libbok, (m) Williams – du Toit, Wiese, Kolisi (cap.) – Snyman, Etzebeth – Louw, Mbonambi, Nche.
Substitutes: Marx, Steenkamp, Koch, Louw, Smith, Reinach, Pollard, Am
