Brits to captain new look Boks against Namibia

Brits has been moved to number 8 for the clash, just one of a swathe of changes made by director of rugby Rassie Erasmus. 

Upfront, Vincent Koch comes in at tighthead prop after Trevor Nyakane was sent home due to a serious calf injury. 

Bongi Mbonambi gets his first World Cup start at hooker and Beast Mtawarira completes the front row at loosehead prop. 

The Springbok second row features Bulls duo Lood de Jager and RG Snyman while Kwagga Smith starts at openside flank and Francois Louw packs down in the number 7 jumper. 

Herschel and Elton Jantjies make up the Springbok halfback pairing this week. 

Frans Steyn comes into the starting XV at inside centre, alongside Lukhanyo Am who gets a second start in a row this week. Jesse Kriel was expected to get a start against Namibia but a hamstring niggle has ruled him out of action this week.

NOW READ: First half chances see All Blacks beat Boks in RWC opener

The Springbok back three is made up of wings Makazole Mapimpi and Sbu Nkosi and rounded off by Warrick Gelant at fullback. 

Brits offers speed against Namibia - Erasmus

With Brits primarily operating as a hooker over the last few years of his career, his move to number 8 this week may have come as a surprise to some. However, Erasmus had suggested that Brits would play a few games at number 8 in press conferences prior to the Springboks departure for the World Cup.

After naming his team today, Erasmus explained that the selection was a two-fold decision.

"To have 31 players here for what is hopefully an 8 week trip for us, you have to try and rotate your hookers. Sometimes when you have a third hooker he doesn't really get game," Erasmus said.

"This gives us an opportunity to rest guys that are vital in the big games. It's also vital to get a guy like Siya another 20 or 30 minutes off the bench but also to rest guys like Pieter-Steph and Duane Vermeulen and give Bongi a proper start where he can go 50 to 70 minutes."

Handing the captaincy to Brits was also a premeditated decision by the Springbok management, considering that there are a number of younger players featuring in the starting XV.

"We did have a plan when we made him captain in that one specific game in Argentina. His experience and calming factor for the guys that are almost fringe players. They've been working really hard and they haven't got game time for a couple of weeks now. He's got that effect on them and hopefully that will come through against Namibia."

The Springboks face Namibia on Saturday at the Toyota City Stadium. Kickoff is at 11h45 South African time.

Springbok team to face Namibia:

15. Warrick Gelant (Vodacom Bulls), 7 caps - 5 points (1 try)

14. Sbu Nkosi (Cell C Sharks) 8 - 35 (7t)

13. Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), 10 - 5 (1t)

12. Frans Steyn (Montpellier, France), 61 - 136 (10t, 7c, 21p, 3d)

11. Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), 9 - 40 (8t)

10. Elton Jantjies (Emirates Lions), 35 - 253 (2t, 48c, 49p)

9. Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), 5 - 20 (4t)

8. Schalk Brits (captain, Vodacom Bulls), 13 - 5 (1t)

7. Kwagga Smith (Emirates Lions), 4 - 0

6. Francois Louw (Bath, England), 70 - 45 (9t)

5. Lood de Jager (Vodacom Bulls), 40 - 25 (5t)

4. RG Snyman (Vodacom Bulls), 17 - 0

3. Vincent Koch (Saracens, England), 15 - 0

2. Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers), 31 - 20 (4t)

1. Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), 112 - 10 (2t)

Replacements:

16. Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), 41 - 5 (1t)

17. Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), 10 - 0

18. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Stormers), 80 - 15 (3t)

19. Siya Kolisi (DHL Stormers), 44 - 25 (5t)

20. Franco Mostert (Gloucester, England), 33 - 5 (1t)

21. Cobus Reinach (Northampton, England), 12 - 15 (3t)

22. Damian de Allende (DHL Stormers), 41 - 20 (4t)

23. Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse, France), 11 - 25 (5t)

Catch up on the latest Rugby World Cup updates powered by Hollywoodbets