Handful of changes for Boks for second Lions test

One of the stand-out players for South Africa Ox Nche has been ruled out of the clash due to a neck injury which sees Steven Kitshoff come into the starting line-up to earn a fiftieth cap for the Springboks.

Along with the change in the front row, Jasper Wiese comes into the starting line-up at number eight while Trevor Nyakane shifts to the bench while Frans Malherbe starts at tight-head prop.

The changes have meant that the Springboks will revert to a six-two split on the bench with Marco van Staden coming in for Rynhardt Elstadt as the other change in the squad from last weeks’ 23-17 loss.

Heading into the must-win match coach Nienaber knows that his side have to stand up and absorb the pressure that the Lions will put on them.

“This is a massive game for us; it is do or die in order to stay in the race to win the series and we selected a team that offers continuity in selection, but also that we thought would be the best suited to achieve the objectives we have set for this match,” said Nienaber.

“Ox did well in the scrums last week and has been ruled out due to injury, but fortunately we have a world class player in Steven who can step into the starting team. The fact that this will mark his 50th Test will make this occasion even more important for him.”

Nienaber explains why he has gone with the change in the make-up on the bench.

“We have had an extra week on the training field after a few disruptive weeks in the build-up to the opening Test, so we are confident that the players in the squad will be able to deliver on the physicality and grit that will be required in this match.

“We need to be better in every area of the game this week, and the set pieces will be crucial in laying the foundations we need to execute our game plan effectively.

“We also spoke about our discipline and the aerial battle as a team, and we intend to work as hard as possible at training this week to correct the errors that cost us last week.”

Ben O’Keeffe from New Zealand has been appointed as the referee for the match, with Mathieu Raynal (France) and Nic Berry (Australia) serving as his assistant referees, while Marius Jonker (South Africa) will be the television match official.

Springbok v British & Irish Lions:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements:
16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Damian Willemse.