"Big changes" - Springboks name team early for rematch against All Blacks

Rassie Erasmus has made seven changes after last week’s 24-17 loss in Auckland, but 16 players stay in the matchday 23.

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Cobus Reinach links with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie form the midfield, with Cheslin Kolbe and Ethan Hooker on the wings. Aphelele Fassi slots in at fullback.

Siya Kolisi returns to captain from the flank, alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese, back from suspension.ru

The only pack switch sees Lood de Jager start at lock with Ruan Nortje, while Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, and Thomas du Toit remain in the front row. Erasmus sticks with a 5-3 bench split, headlined by RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, and Manie Libbok.

“This is an exciting team, which we believe will provide us with the forward power we require, and spark in the backline,” said Erasmus. “We need a top-class performance to ensure that we are in contention… we’ll leave no stone unturned to fix those errors.”

15 Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 14 caps, 35 points (7t)
14 Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath) – 43 caps, 111 points (18t, 3c, 5p)
13 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 17 caps, 40 pts (8t)
12 Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 42 caps, 61 points (5t, 9c, 4p, 2 dg)
11 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 2 caps, 0 points
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 12 caps, 58 points (17c, 8p)
9 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers) – 43 caps, 75 pts (15t)

8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 36 caps, 10 points (2t)
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 90 caps, 60 pts (12t)
6 Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 95 caps, 65 points (13t)
5 Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 0 pts
4 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 70 caps, 25 points (5t)
3 Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 27 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 81 caps, 120 pts (24t)
1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 44 caps, 0 pts

16 Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets) – 2 caps, 10 points (2t)
17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 6 caps, 10 pts (2t)
18 Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 21 caps, 0 pts
19 RG Snyman (Leinster) – 43 caps, 10 points (2t)
20 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 56 caps, 50 points (10t)
21 Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 22 caps, 25 pts (5t)
22 Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners) – 21 caps, 115 pts (1t, 37c, 12p)
23 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 22 caps, 5 pts (1t)

Scott Robertson can savor a priceless win in Auckland—the biggest of his coaching career—bouncing back from a stumble in Argentina a fortnight ago.

The Springboks, however, were far from their best, with several stars failing to fire.

RUCK 5/10: "South Africa’s fly-half had an uneven night, mixing moments of brilliance with glaring errors. He opened the scoring with a straightforward penalty and delivered a world-class 50:22 late in the first half, demonstrating his tactical kicking ability. Yet, his defensive tackling was poor, he missed another kick at goal, and threw a dreadful pass into touch. Despite his experience, Pollard failed to galvanise a flat Bok attack, leaving his performance defined more by inconsistency than control."

Planet Rugby 3/10: "His sloppy pass put the Springboks under early pressure, and while he recovered to pepper the All Blacks’ backfield and put New Zealand under pressure. However, this was far from a vintage Pollard performance despite flashes of brilliance. His passing accuracy was wayward, and in some way that was due to what he was receiving from the under-pressure Williams."

The South African 6/10: "The flyhalf didn’t get much ball on the front-foot and that is because the Springboks’ forwards were outmuscled and ultimately outplayed. He knocked over his first attempt at goal, but his flawless kicking streak came to an end when he skewed his second attempt at goal."

Summary: Pollard showed flashes of brilliance with tactical kicks, but inconsistency and defensive lapses defined his night.

RUCK 4.5/10: "South Africa’s centurion had a night to forget. Beaten all too easily in the build-up to Emoni Narawa’s try, his defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed. He failed to inject creativity or link play effectively in attack, looking off the pace throughout. With little contribution going forward and lapses at the back, his presence was more liability than asset. Withdrawn before 50 minutes, this was a flat performance from a player usually relied upon for composure."

Planet Rugby 3/10: "A shocking start to the match as he poorly dealt with Beauden Barrett’s cross-kick to Emoni Narawa, and it proved extremely costly as the winger pounced to score. That was followed by a fumble in the air that resulted in a penalty to New Zealand. Le Roux did have some bright moments in the back-up and with his clearances, but overall, it was a very, very underwhelming performance from the veteran Bok. He was replaced early in the second half by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu."

The South African 5/10: "He offered little to nothing on attack and was poor in defence. It was his defensive lapse – where he dived over the ball-carrier instead of tackling him – that led to the All Blacks’ opening try in the second minute of the game. By the time he was hooked in the second half, he had already been a passenger for too long."

Summary: Le Roux’s defensive errors and lack of attacking spark made him a liability; a forgettable night for the veteran.

Planet Rugby 5/10: "A very quiet game from the back-rower, with his influence limited by the Springboks’ errors. Kolisi wasn’t set to feature in this game, and overall, it did look like a game too soon for the double World Cup-winning captain. Like many of the starters, he didn’t have much luck at the defensive breakdowns, and while he did make his tackles, he had very limited involvement in the attack. Replaced before the hour mark for Kwagga Smith. He returned for a brief stint later in the second half, but it was much of the same."

RUCK 6/10: "Operating at number eight without the captaincy, Kolisi struggled to find his rhythm. Early on he looked hesitant, as though unsure of his role in the back row. While his defence was steady, he offered little go-forward in attack. To his credit, his work rate picked up after halftime, as he covered more ground and made key tackles. Lasting just over 50 minutes, his effort was respectable but fell short of the commanding presence he usually brings."

FloRugby 6/10: "Leadership evident as the visitors rallied late. Six tackles and three carries with one dominant collision. Looked for tempo with hands early in the second half. The match got away from him in the yellow card window, but he kept the group connected."

Summary: Kolisi’s influence was muted; steady defensively but limited impact on attack, showing glimpses of leadership.

Planet Rugby 5/10: "While the scrum-half’s kicks were superb, he looked shaky at the base of the rucks due to the havoc that the All Blacks wreaked in that facet of the game. Still, Williams had bright moments, including a stunning clearance off a New Zealand error at the lineout. The livewire halfback was replaced in the early stage of the second half. An average performance because of a few errors and sloppy service."

RUCK 5.5/10: "While the scrum-half’s kicks were superb, he looked shaky at the base of the rucks due to the havoc that the All Blacks wreaked in that facet of the game. Still, Williams had bright moments, including a stunning clearance off a New Zealand error at the lineout. The livewire halfback was replaced in the early stage of the second half. An average performance because of a few errors and sloppy service."

Summary: Williams delivered flashes of brilliance with his kicking, but errors and inconsistent service limited his overall impact.