Springbok coach Erasmus revamps backline for return clash against All Blacks

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a new-look backline for the second Test against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday, where Ethan Hooker will earn his first start in the green and gold jumper.

Erasmus has made seven personnel changes to his starting XV, with 16 players in the matchday 23 retained from the side that went down 24-17 to the All Blacks in Auckland last week.

The Bok coach has tinkered with his backline, with Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu pairing up at halfback, Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie in midfield, Hooker and Cheslin Kolbe on the wings, and Aphelele Fassi at fullback, in a team that will be led by regular captain Siya Kolisi.

Up-front, Kolisi returns to flanker alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit, while No 8 Jasper Wiese will return to the field for the first time since facing Italy in July after serving his four-match suspension.

The only change in the pack is at lock, where Lood de Jager will pack down with Ruan Nortje, while Erasmus has stuck with the same front row of props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit, and hooker Malcolm Marx.

Erasmus again opted for a split of five forwards and three backs on the replacements’ bench, where Marnus van der Merwe (hooker), Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw (props), RG Snyman (lock) and Kwagga Smith (loose forward) will provide further forward cover. The backs on the bench are halfbacks Grant Williams and Manie Libbok, and centre Andre Esterhuizen.

“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’ve maintained consistency in selection to a large degree in the last few matches, but apart from what we feel some of the players selected can add to our attack, we’d like to see what some of the players can do against the top-ranked team in the world.”

Springbok matchday 23 v New Zealand

Starting XV: 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 (capt) 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.