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Springboks unveil team for second All Blacks test

Pieter-Steph du Toit will lead the Boks as he prepares to reach a major career milestone, while Ox Nche is also set to mark a significant achievement.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus this morning (August 24), named his team for the second test against the All Blacks in Cape Town this Saturday (17.10), reports The Citizen.

In the most significant changes to the side that lost 33-16 in the first test at Ellis Park on Saturday (August 22), Handré Pollard comes in at flyhalf, with Cobus Reinach his scrumhalf partner.

Ethan Hooker has also been included on the wing in place of the injured Cheslin Kolbe, who misses out completely.

Up front Siya Kolisi has been bracketed with Paul de Villiers, depending on how the veteran skipper gets through training this week.

Pieter-Steph du Toit will retain the captaincy of the team.

Also, on the bench, Erasmus has opted for greater experience, dropping Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Zachary Porthen for Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit, while Lood de Jager takes over from Cobus Wiese.

There is also place for Cameron Hanekom, who comes in for Marco van Staden.

Morné van den Berg is also new to the bench, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu taking over from Manie Libbok as an impact player. Grant Williams, who started at scrumhalf last weekend, is carrying a niggle.

Du Toit will earn his 100th Bok cap this weekend, becoming the 11th players to reach the milestone, while Ox Nche will play his 50th Test.

“Cheslin and Grant (Williams) suffered niggles last weekend, which ruled them out of contention for selection, while we have bracketed Siya alongside Paul to allow us time to monitor how Siya comes through training this week,” said Erasmus when he named his team on Monday.

“The changes we made are in line with what we want to achieve on the field this week, and it is valuable that almost all of the players have been involved in the last two games, so they will be able to cope with the intensity and physicality of this match.”

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Jacques van der Westhuyzen

Jacques manages the daily sports offering for online and print at The Citizen. He previously worked as a senior rugby and golf writer for The Star and Independent Media’s weekend print and online publications. He has travelled extensively with the Springboks, touring to Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina to cover tours and Test matches. He has also covered several World Sevens Series tournaments, including in Hong Kong. Jacques has covered well over 100 Test matches and numerous other rugby encounters across South Africa. He has also covered a number of the biggest golfing tournaments held in South Africa as well as the 2003 Cricket World Cup. He is passionate about all things sport, with athletics at the top of his great sporting loves. He has 25 years’ experience in mainstream media, as a writer, sub-editor and editor. He is a former recipient of a Sasol Springbok rugby writing award. If you give him a gap, he’ll talk all day about running, on the road and on trails. He’s run numerous marathons and also completed the famous Comrades ultra marathon in KZN. When he’s not running, you might find him on the golf course or squash court, two other favourites past-times.

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