Erasmus Name Three Springboks With an Uncanny Ability to Catapult That Can Dominate England
Springboks play their second game of the Autumn series against England. Will Rassie Erasmus’ team prevail?
The Springboks take on England before playing Wales at the Principality Stadium on November 23.
The Roses, who narrowly lost to Australia last week, look to strike blood for their World Cup knockouts at the hands of the South Africans.
Rassie Erasmus named a (nearly) completely different starting fifteen to the one that faced Scotland – World Cup winners Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe and Damian de Allende are brought back into action.
A deep pool of talent
The Springboks have at least three world-class options in each position, which allows Erasmus, averaging 8.5 line-up changes a game, the freedom to remain incognito and keep opponents guessing with his evolving matchday squads.
Seeing Kolbe back in the green and gold will delight many, if not all, South Africans – his speed and power catapult him through defensive lines; a try is never out of reach, albeit picking up the ball in his own twenty-two.
Another welcomed addition is Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is back in the starting line-up after coming off the bench against Scotland.
From the moment the whistle blows, his presence will be felt, a scary sight for any flyhalf or centre – just ask Jordie Barrett, who endured several heavy hits from Pieter-Steph in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Another man in form is Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi, who had a terrific Rugby Championship, scoring two tries in the title-deciding match against Argentina.
He, like Kolbe, has an uncanny ability of finding the try line.
Springboks vs England
South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am.
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Alex Dombrandt; 21 Harry Randall, 22 George Ford, 23 Tom Roebuck.
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