World Cup-winners Elton Jantjies and Frans Steyn return to the Springbok match-day 23 for the Rugby Championship Test against Australia at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Bok coach Jacques Nienaber has also handed Warrick Gelant a start on the right wing and recalled scrumhalf Faf de Klerk in the only two changes to the starting XV from the side that lost to the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
“This is a very important clash for us to set the tone for our Rugby Championship tour and we feel that continuity in selection is important to build momentum in our campaign,” said Nienaber, who made three changes to the replacements for the clash with the Wallabies in Adelaide.
The bench features a split of five forwards and three backs, where Jaden Hendrikse takes over from Herschel Jantjies, while Elton Jantjies will provide flyhalf cover and Steyn additional cover at the back. Willie le Roux and Jasper Wiese have been dropped.
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Nienaber added: “Warrick was in good form for the Stormers earlier this season and he has been working hard at training, so we thought it would be good to give him a run on the wing. He also combined well with Damian Willemse in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, so we are excited to see what they offer us in the match.
“Faf, meanwhile, is back from concussion and his experience will be important in this game.”
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Of the decision to switch from a six-two to a five-three split on the bench, Nienaber said: “We looked at what Australia will bring to the game, and that combined with our need to give Elton and Frans Steyn some vital game time, prompted us to select five forwards and three backs on the bench.”
Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Warrick Gelant, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Elton Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn.
