Here is the Springbok side to take on England this weekend, with several changes from the team that drew with the Barbarians last week.
Springbok team:
15. Willie le Roux (Canon Eagles (Japan))
14. Ruan Combrinck (Xerox Golden Lions)
13. Francois Venter (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
12. Damian de Allende (DHL Western Province)
11. JP Pietersen (Leicester Tigers (England))
10. Patrick Lambie (vice-captain) (Cell C Sharks)
9. Rudy Paige (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
8. Warren Whiteley (Docomo Red Hurricanes (Japan))
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Western Province)
6. Willem Alberts (Stade Francais (France))
5. Lood de Jager (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Western Province)
3. Vincent Koch (Saracens (England))
2. Adriaan Strauss (captain) (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks)
Replacements
16. Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Western Province)
17. Steven Kitshoff (Bordeaux (France))
18. Lourens Adriaanse (Cell C Sharks)
19. Franco Mostert (Ricoh Black Rams (Japan))
20. Nizaam Carr (DHL Western Province)
21. Faf de Klerk (Xerox Golden Lions)
22. Johan Goosen (Racing 92 (France))
23. Lionel Mapoe (Kubota Spears (Japan))
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
That is a massive back row! I think their 8 is smaller than the flankers!
By getting de Jager and du Toit on the pitch at the same time they are clearly going for the power option.
I am concerned that Launchbury and Lawes could find themselves outgunned at the breakdown
I’d hope our bench is stronger but there are some names I don’t know here (Mbonambi, Adriaanse, Mostert, Carr) , so if anyone can enlighten me that would be appreciated
Is Jaco Kriel injured btw?
Four second rows and a Number 8! Alberts mostly plays lock for the Sharks, and that is an enormous team.
Yes, Kriel is injured and isn’t on tour.
Everyone plays their original position except for du toit who is usually a lock
Adriaanse and Mosert are both ok but Mbonambi and Carr are both pretty rubbish. Their Bench looks weak to me
Thanks Hutch and Leon!
Interesting that Koch is starting. He was playing in the LV cup last weekend!
This massive pack is why we are going to miss the physicality of Krutoje.
Can’t really say that Launchbury and Lawes are shrinking violets though….
With two such big flankers and Paige at 9 I think it’s pretty clear what the game-plan is: keep it tight, make the hard yards then get Paige to put it in the air or into the corners, he’s more of a kicking 9 than a running or passing one. Given the weather forecast isn’t too hot for Saturday that seems a solid enough game-plan to me, although if they don’t get on the front foot there are some big men that England can pull around the field and try and get May and Daly running at.
That is an enormous pack! No subtle game plan this weekend then! I think they were always going to go this way though and hope that May and DAly can isolate some tired guys later on.