The Springboks have thrown caution to the wind, particularly when selecting the backline, for this Saturday’s Test in Wellington (kick off at 09:05 SA time).
Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will pair up in an exciting halfback combination, while Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie slot into the midfield.
Ethan Hooker will earn his first start for the Springboks on the wing, with Aphelele Fassi returning to fullback to complete the back three with Cheslin Kolbe.
There are no ‘insurance policies’ in the form of Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux, Damian de Allende or Jesse Kriel.
So, is it a risk worth taking?
When addressing this question, Springbok mobi-unit coach Duane Vermeulen brushed off concerns by the media that several experienced players would not feature in the match, and said this game marked the perfect opportunity to see what the younger players could deliver under pressure as they build toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
“I think we have a good pack that can hopefully give us good front-foot ball,” said Vermeulen.
“If we can achieve that, I believe it will allow the backs to showcase their skills and play to their potential, so the make-up of this team is good for us.
“Of course, experience counts to a degree, and I believe we have that up front, so it’s not a case of throwing (some of the senior) guys away.”
Vermeulen added that the Boks made a few mistakes in last week’s defeat in Auckland, some of them by the more experienced players.
“But the reality is that we have to look at the future as well,” he said. “There are a whole lot of young players who have put up their hands, and we have to give them an opportunity to show what they can do because if we don’t, when are we going to give them the chance to prove what they can do in tough situations.
“This is a great opportunity for them to work together and also for the coaches to see what they can do, and whether they are the right players to move forward with.”
HOW THE SPRINGBOKS WILL LINE UP
South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.
WHAT IS YOUR SCORE PREDICTION?
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