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Springboks make two eve-of-match changes for second All Blacks Test
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The Springboks have announced two changes to their starting XV for Test two of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series as a result of two late injury updates.
The first update sees Handre Pollard exit the matchday team after picking up what the team described as a “niggle” in a training session on Wednesday. The veteran’s withdrawal is covered by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who steps into the No.10 jersey he wore last week. Meanwhile, on the bench, the No.23 jersey Feinberg-Mngomezulu was originally named in will now be given to Manie Libbok.
There is also a positive injury update from the South Africa camp, with Cheslin Kolbe declared fit for the Test. The superstar winger has been thrown straight into the starting team, taking Kurt-Lee Arendse’s place on the right wing. Arendse falls out of the matchday unit as a result.
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After initially making five changes to his team that lost at Ellis Park, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus is now fielding a team with just three changes: Siya Kolisi in the No. 6 jersey, Cobus Reinach at No.9, and Ethan Hooker on the left wing.
Kolbe went down in the 58th minute against New Zealand at Ellis Park last weekend, clutching his hamstring and walking delicately from the field after kicking three penalties and a conversion.
The coach told reporters on Monday that changes could yet be made due to injury, saying on Kolbe specifically: “It’s more than just cramps. It’s not even the hamstring anymore; it’s a little bit of an ankle as well. It might be a late change with Cheslin if he really recovers well.”
With that recovery now satisfying team doctors, a South Africa rugby icon will take the field once more in his hometown of Cape Town against his nation’s fiercest rival, New Zealand, in what is a must-win game in the context of the series.
