No smiles as ‘final’ Springbok squad poses for team photo

The Springbok match-day 23-man squad to face the All Blacks in the second Test in ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ series meant business as they posed for the official team photograph on Friday.

Smiles on faces appeared to be banned as the squad looks to level the four-Test series at 1-1 this weekend.

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Late changes

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made two changes to their starting XV with Cheslin Kolbe returning and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu stepping into the flyhalf role after Handre Pollard was withdrawn.

Kolbe has been cleared to play after recovering from the knock that forced him off during last week’s opening Test in Johannesburg.

The 32-year-old wing comes back into the match-day squad in place of an unfortunate Kurt-Lee Arendse who drops out of the squad altogether.

Handre Pollard ruled out

The biggest change, however, comes at flyhalf.

Handre Pollard picked up a calf niggle during training on Wednesday and was assessed again on Friday morning before the decision was made to withdraw him from the team.

That opened the door for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who has been handed the starting flyhalf jersey.

The 23-year-old started at flyhalf against Argentina and again against New Zealand last week and will now be tasked with directing the Springbok attack in Cape Town.

Manie Libbok has been named among the replacements and will provide flyhalf cover, with Morne van den Berg also included on the bench.

Boks chasing series leveler

After losing the opening Test, the Springboks know victory on Saturday is essential if they are to draw level in the four-match series.

Playing in front of a home crowd at Cape Town Stadium, the Springboks will hope the return of Kolbe and the promotion of Feinberg-Mngomezulu can help them produce the response they are looking for.

The All Blacks, meanwhile, will arrive in Cape Town with a 1-0 series advantage and the opportunity to take a commanding lead.

With the rivalry already producing plenty of drama, Saturday’s second Test promises another heavyweight battle between the two southern hemisphere giants.

READ | Springboks’ stats in Cape Town favour the All Blacks

Teams

South Africa – revised

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 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 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche

Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok

New Zealand

15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)