Springboks make 8 changes for All Blacks Test

Head coach Jacques Nienaber has made eight changes for their Twickenham Test against the All Blacks this weekend.

Nienaber keeps five from the winning pack against Wales: Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Siya Kolisi, and Pieter Steph Du Toit.

Manie Libbok and Canan Moodie start, though Moodie shifts from the wing to centre. Faf De Klerk is back at scrumhalf in new halfback pairing with Libbok.

“Our objective since the beginning of the season was to strike a balance between performance and managing player load with only six Test matches to get ready for the World Cup, and we are pleased with the way we have developed in that regard.

“The All Blacks will provide a different challenge to Wales, and we believe this group of players is the right mix for this match,” said Nienaber.

“New Zealand play a high-tempo game, and they turn on the intensity from the starting whistle as they showed in Auckland, so it’s vital that we start well this week.

“In the last five matches we’ve given everyone, with the exception of the injured players, valuable game time, which is vital going into the World Cup, and we are satisfied with the way we have been building as a team,” said Nienaber.

“The rivalry between the Springboks and All Blacks is one of the most intense in world rugby, so it’s a great way for us to wrap up our warm-up matches before heading to France for the World Cup.

“This match may be on neutral ground, but we expect it to be as epic as every other Test between the teams. They are a quality team with several playmakers and physical forwards, and they’ll give everything on Friday.

“We know what to expect and what we need to do to work our way into a position to get the desired result, so as a team we need to be ready mentally and physically.”

Springbok team to face New Zealand in London:

15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers)
14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls)
13 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls)
12 – Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles)
8 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster)

REPLACEMENTS:

16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
18 – Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92)
19 – Jean Kleyn (Munster)
20 – RG Snyman (Munster)
21 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls)
22 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier)
23 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls)