Springboks forced into last minute change for Scots

The Springboks have been forced into a late change ahead of their Test against Scotland after Canan Moodie was ruled out.

South Africa have drafted in Ethan Hooker, with the Sharks back coming into the starting XV for the clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Hooker gets an opportunity on the international stage as the world champions make a solitary alteration to the team named earlier in the week.

The late switch mirrors Scotland’s own enforced change, with the visitors having lost lock Alex Samuel to a knee injury and bringing Max Williamson onto the bench.

We have good depth in our squad, and this will be a great test for the team,” said head coach Rassie Erasmus.

Fixture

Nations Championship

South Africa

42 - 28

Full-time

Scotland

All Stats and Data

“We told the players from the outset that we would give as many of them a chance as possible to play this season, while we are also trying to manage some players, while others are not available for selection this week, so it was important to select a team with some continuity from last week, while bringing in players we believe will be the right fit for what we are expecting from Scotland.

“They had a good Six Nations campaign, and they come off a victory against Argentina away, so they will be psyched up going into this match.”

Erasmus added: “All of the players have been working extremely hard at training, and they are fully aware of the threat Scotland poses. Many of these combinations have played together for the Springboks and for their provincial teams this season.

Updated Springboks team to face Scotland:
15 Aphelele Fassi
14 Edwill van der Merwe
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Damian Willemse
11 Ethan Hooker
10 Handre Pollard
9 Embrose Papier
8 Evan Roos
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain)
6 Paul de Villiers
5 Ruan Nortje
4 Cobus Wiese
3 Wilco Louw
2 Johan Grobbelaar
1 Boan Venter

Replacements
16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
17 Ntuthuko Mchunu
18 Zach Porthen
19 Ben-Jason Dixon
20 Vincent Tshituka
21 Elrigh Louw
22 Grant Williams
23 Quan Horn