Boks pick tested XV ahead of Japan clash
Springbok director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has picked a tried and tested starting XV to face Japan in their looming Rugby World Cup quarterfinal this Sunday.
Erasmus named his side in Shinjuku on Thursday, opting to stick with the same lineup that demolished Italy in their third pool game of the competition.
Hooker Bongi Mbonambi has again been rewarded for his fine form in the competition and his accuracy at line-out time has been key to the side's ascendancy at set pieces.
The vastly experienced loose-head Beast Mtawarira and solid tighthead Frans Malherbe make up the remainder of the Springbok front row.
Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager continue a fruitful partnership in the Springbok engine room, with the latter proving to be the brains behind the Boks impressive lineouts.
It's not surprising to see Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Duane Vermeulen continue as the first choice loose trio going into the knockout stages of the tournament.
Although his form has been questioned, Erasmus has backed Faf de Klerk to start at scrumhalf and the half-back will be key in giving the Springboks quick ball and relieving pressure with box kicks.
Handre Pollard starts at flyhalf alongside the familiar centre duo of Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am - who have become a formidable force for the Boks.
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Erasmus has also decided to stick with his 'first choice' back three comprising of Makazole Mapimpi on the left-wing, Cheslin Kolbe on the right-wing and Willie le Roux at fullback.
Le Roux is another player who hasn't been at his mercurial best but his experience will be vital in a game of this magnitude.
The Springboks have opted for a 6-2 forward-back split on their bench, signalling intent to physically dominate Japan.
Springbok team (15-1):
Wille le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi ©, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Beast Mtawarira.
Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, Frans Steyn.
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