Ton up for Le Roux against Italy as Springboks pick three new caps
FIEL PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Semi Final - England v South Africa - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 21, 2023 South Africa's Willie le Roux celebrates after the match as South Africa reach the final REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo
South Africa fullback Willie le Roux will earn his 100th cap when he starts in Saturday's second test against Italy in Gqeberha, with Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus also naming three uncapped players among the replacements.
It is a much changed selection from the team that failed to impress in a 42-24 victory over the touring Italians in Pretoria last week.
Le Roux becomes the eighth player to reach 100 caps for the Springboks and makes up a back three that also includes wings Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe.
"Willie has been a stalwart for us in the last few years after making his debut against Italy in Durban in 2013, and he's a fantastic playmaker, so we are thrilled to see him achieve this incredible feat," Erasmus said.
The centre pairing contains Canan Moodie and hybrid player Andre Esterhuizen, who featured as a flanker in the 54-7 win over the Barbarians late last month.
Manie Libbok is at flyhalf and the electric Grant Williams is in the number nine jersey in an exciting half-back duo that suggests a high tempo ball-in-hand game plan from the home side.
Hooker Malcolm Marx starts with props Thomas du Toit and Wilco Louw either side of him, while Salmaan Moerat, captain in the injury absence of Siya Kolisi, partners Ruan Nortje at lock.
There is a return from injury for Pieter-Steph du Toit alongside fellow flanker Marco van Staden, with Jasper Wiese keeping his place at number eight.
Wiese's brother Cobus, a towering second row, is one of three uncapped players on the bench along with prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye and utility back Ethan Hooker.
"We said from the outset that we would rotate the team as we have a large and very talented squad," Erasmus said.
"Thirteen players in this squad have won a World Cup before and that shows the depth we have as we continue to build for the next few seasons and ultimately the 2027 Rugby World Cup."
South Africa team:
15–Willie le Roux, 14–Edwill van der Merwe, 13–Canan Moodie, 12–Andre Esterhuizen, 11–Makazole Mapimpi, 10–Manie Libbok, 9–Grant Williams, 8–Jasper Wiese, 7–Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6–Marco van Staden, 5–Ruan Nortje, 4–Salmaan Moerat, 3–Wilco Louw, 2–Malcolm Marx, 1–Thomas du Toit
Replacements:
16–Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17–Ox Nche, 18–Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19–Cobus Wiese, 20–Evan Roos, 21–Cobus Reinach, 22–Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23–Ethan Hooker REUTERS
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