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Cape Town - Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says flyhalves Handre Pollard and Elton Jantjies knew his selection plans prior to the Rugby Championship.
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Jantjies will replace Pollard in starting XV for Saturday’s Test against Australia in Brisbane, with the latter having started in the first two matches of the competition against Argentina.
“He (Handre) knew a few weeks ago already that he was going to get two matches on the trot to find some form. It was always our plan to give Elton a run here in Australia, and Handre knew about this a few weeks ago already,” Erasmus said in Brisbane on Thursday, as quoted by the Times Live website.
Jantjies’ elevation to the starting team was one of six changes - and a positional change - made by Erasmus from the team that lost 32-19 to Argentina in Mendoza late last month.
Steven Kitshoff and Bongi Mbonambi start at prop and hooker respectively, while Pieter-Steph du Toit takes the No 7 jersey, with captain Siya Kolisi moving No 6.
In the backline, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel also form a new midfield combination. The two centres returned to the Bok fray after playing Currie Cup rugby for their respective provinces in recent weeks.
“Jesse knew that he was going to play in this game and we sent him to play a Currie Cup game. We also have guys like Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Thomas du Toit who we want to give opportunities in the future as part of our larger pool,” Erasmus added.
Saturday’s Test is scheduled for 12:00 (SA time).
Teams:
Australia
15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Will Genia, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio
Substitutes: 16 Folau Faingaa, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Bernard Foley, 23 Tom Banks
South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Makazole Mapimpi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Beast Mtawarira, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Cheslin Kolbe
