Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu of South Africa is tackled by Wallace Sititi, 2025
Photo: MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP
South Africa have named Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at first-five in a new-look backline and moved Siya Kolisi to the side of the scrum as coach Rassie Erasmus makes several changes to his side to face New Zealand in Wellington in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
The Springboks were poor in a 24-17 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland at the weekend, a result that makes their clash against the same opponents on Saturday a must-win if they are to retain their title.
Cobus Reinach will start at half-back alongside the mercurial Feinberg-Mngomezulu, while the inexperienced Ethan Hooker has been named on the wing.
Damian Willemse, who can also play five-eighth and fullback, is at inside centre with Canan Moodie switching to the number 13 jersey. Cheslin Kolbe is also on the wing with Aphelele Fassi at fullback.
Jasper Wiese returns to the number eight jersey after suspension, with Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit making up the remainder of the back row.
The Springboks were dire in the lineouts last weekend and have brought in Lood de Jager in the place of Eben Etzebeth to partner Ruan Nortje in the locks.
Malcolm Marx starts at hooker with props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit either side of him.
Quinn Tupaea celebrates scoring his try against the Springboks.
Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Erasmus has again opted for what appears a 5-3 split between forwards and backs on the bench, but could be a 6-2 with scrumhalf Grant Williams, flyhalf Manie Libbok and hybrid centre/flanker Andre Esterhuizen the back options.
“This is an exciting team, which we believe will provide us with the forward power we require, and spark in the backline against a quality All Blacks side,” said Erasmus
“We know where we went wrong last week and what we must fix, and we’ll leave no stone unturned to fix those errors. There’s no doubt that we have to deliver a proper 80-minute performance to do well, and we will give everything to achieve that.”
South Africa team:
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.
-Reuters