Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus has made several alterations to the team that succumbed to the All Blacks in the third round of the Rugby Championship.<\/b><\/p>\n
South Africa\u2019s head coach has decided to wield the axe following their disappointing defeat to their arch-rivals in Auckland, especially behind the scrum.<\/p>\n
Only Cheslin Kolbe has remained in the same position in the backline on the right wing with Canan Moodie, who started on the left, being shifted to centre this weekend.<\/p>\n
Mass changes<\/p>\n
That means captain from that clash Jesse Kriel has been ousted from the team with Moodie partnering Damian Willemse, who has never played 12 at Test level, in a new-look midfield partnership.<\/p>\n
Ethan Hooker takes Moodie\u2019s former position on the left and Aphelele Fassi is at full-back to complete the back three.<\/p>\n
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach are in the half-back slots after impressive cameos on Saturday, with Handre Pollard ousted from the 23 entirely.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an exciting team, which we believe will provide us with the forward power we require, and spark in the backline against a quality All Blacks side,\u201d Erasmus<\/a> said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve maintained consistency in selection to a large degree in the last few matches, but apart from what we feel some of the players selected can add to our attack, we\u2019d like to see what some of the players can do against the top-ranked team in the world.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a vital match for our Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign, and we feel some fresh legs and energy are what we need to come away with the desired result.\u201d<\/p>\n All Blacks v Springboks: Five takeaways as Scott Robertson \u2018a year ahead\u2019 of Rassie Erasmus whose ageing Boks have \u2018run their final race\u2019<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n There are fewer changes among the forwards but the Boks<\/a> boss has still decided to make some alterations, starting at number eight where Jasper Wiese returns following the end of his suspension.<\/p>\n He is joined by Pieter-Steph du Toit and Siya Kolisi, who moves from the base of the scrum, at flanker as Marco van Staden misses out.<\/p>\n There is also no Eben Etzebeth in the squad as Lood de Jager combines with Ruan Nortje in the engine room.<\/p>\n Only Springbok area to remain untouched<\/p>\n However, the starting front-row remains the same as Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit line up together once again.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery player in this squad knows we believe in them and back them, and this will serve as a great occasion for them to show us what they are capable of against a team such as the All Blacks,\u201d Erasmus said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have all done the job for us against some of the top teams in the world earlier this year, and others over the last few years, and we know they\u2019ll relish this opportunity to face New Zealand in their backyard.\u201d<\/p>\n