Following the announcement of the Springboks’ 23-man match-day squad to face the British & Irish Lions in the first Test in Cape Town, have your say on whether or not you would make any changes to the side.
On Tuesday, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named a strong lineup to be led by Siya Kolisi, with 21 players in the match 23 having featured in the Springboks’ triumphant World Cup campaign in Japan in 2019.
Handre Pollard was named as the vice-captain and will earn his 50th cap in the momentous opening Test between the Springboks and British & Irish Lions on Saturday.
Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi and Ox Nche were the last group of players to report for duty at the Springbok camp in Cape Town on Monday morning after completing their mandatory self-isolation in Johannesburg, and they were all cleared to return to the field on Monday afternoon following medical screening.
The entire pack of forwards, the halfback pairing of Pollard and Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf) and Willie le Roux (fullback) started the Test against Georgia which the Springboks won 40-9 a little over two weeks ago, meaning the team will enter the match with some valuable game time and continuity in selection.
The changes to the starting XV that ran out against Georgia were on the wings where Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe will be on duty, and in the midfield, where Damian de Allende will partner up with Lukhanyo Am – the same combinations as in the Rugby World Cup final.
The only two changes among the replacements were at loose forward where Rynhardt Elstadt replaces Jasper Wiese and Lood de Jager takes over from Marvin Orie.
Would you make any changes to the team? Have your say in the poll below.
Photo: Steve Haag
