SA Rugby
South Africans will have their thirst for live Springbok rugby quenched when the World Cup Champions take on Wales in Saturday's opening Castle Lager incoming series Test at Loftus Versfeld.
SA Ruby is returning to a full-capacity crowd and only a few thousand tickets are still available for the game.
Two former Junior Springboks will be hoping for a debut from the replacement bench.
Salmaan Moerat and Elrigh Louw have been stand-out performers for the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls respectively in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this season and given their fine form for their franchises, Coach Nienaber will be expecting them to make a big impact off in what is a strong bench for the match.
With a physical onslaught expected from Wales, Nienaber opted for a six-two split on the replacements bench, with Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf) and veteran fullback Willie le Roux providing cover among the backs, while the forwards comprise the impactful front row of Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff and Vincent Koch, Moerat, Louw and versatile loose forward Kwagga Smith.
Springbok team to face Wales in Pretoria:
15 - Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers)
14 - Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon)
13 - Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks)
12 - Damian de Allende (Munster)
11 - Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks)
10 - Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes)
9 - Faf de Klerk
8 - Jasper Wiese
7 - Franco Mostert
6 - Siya Kolisi (captain)
5 - Lood de Jager
4 - Eben Etzebeth
3 - Frans Malherbe
2 - Bongi Mbonambi
1 - Ox Nché
Replacements:
16 - Malcolm Marx
17 - Steven Kitshoff
18 - Vincent Koch
19 - Salmaan Moerat
20 - Elrigh Louw
21 - Kwagga Smith
22 - Herschel Jantjies
23 - Willie le Roux
