CAPE TOWN, June (ANA) – Coach Rassie Erasmus is set to make "four or five" changes to the Springbok side for this Saturday's third and final Test against England in Cape Town.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus has been very open about his desire to continue expanding the squad depth as part of their bigger-picture thinking with the 2019 World Cup in mind, and at a press conference on Monday, he confirmed there would be "four or five" changes.
He has now been granted some handy breathing room when it comes to his selection considerations for this Saturday's Test after the Boks took an unassailable 2-0 series lead following last weekend's impressive 23-12 victory in Bloemfontein.
Although Erasmus may be keen to mostly keep a new-look backline unchanged, there is a strong possibility that burly centre Andre Esterhuizen could receive an opportunity in place of Damian de Allende.
Erasmus lavished Esterhuizen with praise following the season-opening clash against Wales, and the Sharks star should be expected to feature in this Saturday's match-day 23.
Should Esterhuizen earn a start, the Bok coach may be inclined to retain his Sharks combination with Lukhanyo Am, although Jesse Kriel impressed off the bench last weekend, and could be a strong contender to also earn a start at outside centre.
Warrick Gelant has been named on the bench for the first two Tests, but the third and final Test provides an ideal opportunity to hand him the No 15 jersey in place of overseas-based Willie le Roux.
Up front, Jean-Luc du Preez could be set for a return to the starting lineup, while Erasmus may want to have a look at Pieter-Steph du Toit at No 5, and then afford Franco Mostert a well-deserved rest.
Similarly, Beast Mtawarira must surely be due for a break, allowing talented Steven Kitshoff to slot into the front row.
There could well be a double change at prop if Erasmus opts to hand either Wilco Louw or Thomas du Toit a start at No 3. Frans Malherbe started last Saturday's clash, but his conditioning didn't quite look up to scratch for Test level.
The Bok boss also has the option to mix and match on the bench, where recalled Saracens hooker Schalk Brits is set to make an appearance.
"Schalk will come into the reckoning for this game," Erasmus said on Monday. "It just depends whether that will be in a starting role or from the bench ... Schalk is one of the guys who we want to test.”
The Springbok team for Saturday's Test will be named at 1 pm on Thursday.
– African News Agency (ANA)
