FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - South Africa v Ireland - King's Park, Durban, South Africa - July 13, 2024 South Africa's Eben Etzebeth in action REUTERS/Rogan Ward/File Photo
(Reuters) - South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has made 11 changes to his starting team for their clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, handing the captaincy to Eben Etzebeth and opting for a 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench.
Scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse is the only survivor in the backline from the side that thumped Argentina 48-7 to clinch the Rugby Championship in September, with Handre Pollard restored at flyhalf.
Andre Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am form a new centre pairing, while Makazole Mapimpi and Canan Moodie are on the wings, and Willie le Roux is set to earn a 98th cap at fullback.
Bongi Mbonambi starts at hooker, with Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit making up the front row. Etzebeth partners Franco Mostert at lock, with the latter returning from a broken leg that had kept him sidelined.
Marco van Staden and Elrigh Louw are the two flankers, with Kwagga Smith to make his 50th Springboks appearance at number eight.
Scrumhalf Grant Williams, who can also cover wing, is the only back on the bench.
“This is a seasoned and quality team and 21 of the 23 players (in the match day squad) have won a Rugby World Cup title, with some having won two, so they know what it takes to perform at this level,” Erasmus said.
“Many of these combinations have also played together this season, which will be valuable against a quality team such as Scotland.”
The Springboks have won eight successive tests against Scotland since losing 21-17 at Murrayfield in 2010, their only defeat in the past 16 meetings between the teams. That includes victory at last year’s World Cup in France.
“In the Rugby World Cup, we were only three points up against them (Scotland) at halftime, and with the new dynamic they have brought to their game, we know it’s going to be an 80-minute battle,” Erasmus added.
Team: 15-Willie le Roux, 14-Canan Moodie, 13-Lukhanyo Am, 12-Andre Esterhuizen, 11-Makazole Mapimpi, 10-Handre Pollard, 9-Jaden Hendrikse, 8-Kwagga Smith, 7-Elrigh Louw, 6-Marco van Staden, 5-Franco Mostert, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 3-Thomas du Toit, 2-Bongi Mbonambi, 1-Ox Nche
Replacements: 16-Malcolm Marx, 17-Gerhard Steenekamp, 18-Vincent Koch, 19-RG Snyman, 20-Siya Kolisi, 21-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 22-Jasper Wiese, 23-Grant Williams.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Toby Davis)
