5 changes for Boks vs All Blacks

Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber has made five changes to his line-up for the second Rugby Championship test against New Zealand this weekend.

The Boks walked away 26-10 victors from Mbombela Stadium last Saturday and will be hoping to bag the double over their rivals when they clash at Ellis Park Stadium this Saturday.

Two backline changes are forced, with Kurt-Lee Arendse having been handed a four-week ban following a red card in the previous match, as Jesse Kriel comes in on the right wing while Jaden Hendrikse returns to scrum-half in place of Faf De Klerk, who picked up a concussion.

Rotational forward changes will see Duane Vermeulen come in at No. 8 for Jasper Wiese, Bongi Mbonambi replace Malcolm Marx at hooker and Ox Nche switch with Trevor Nyakane in the loosehead prop position.

œWe made a few changes to the team but Duane, Jesse and Herschel are all experienced players who know our systems well and have been stalwarts for the Boks. Ox has also shown his ability to make his presence felt in the front row, so he is back in the mix," said Nienaber.

Vermeulen makes a return following knee surgery and the coach feels there is no better time for the stalwart to get minutes under his belt again than against a wounded All Blacks side looking to bounce back.

œDuane has a massive presence on the field and there is no bigger game for him to make his comeback from injury than facing the All Blacks," Nienaber added.

"He is an enforcer on attack and defence and we know he will give everything against a physical All Blacks team that are desperate to bounce back strongly from a challenging run of results."

By Web Admin