Kwagga to make an impact from the bench versus New Zealand

Local rugby legend Kwagga Smith has earned a place on the substitution list for this Saturday’s highly anticipated clash against the All Blacks.

The can’t-miss encounter will take place at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, a location that Kiwi supporters still have nightmares about 29 years later.

Kickoff is scheduled for 17:00, with the Springboks relishing the chance to get one over their eternal rivals once more.

Rassie Erasmus’ men are sitting pretty atop the Rugby Championship log, having expertly dealt with the Wallabies with as much ease and control as Steve Irwin dealing with the crocs of the outback.

Injury issues force adjustments

Despite the superb start to this year’s campaign, Rassie’s hand has been forced, with a heap of injury issues plaguing the lock position.

The leaning tower of Cape Town, Eben Etzebeth has been ruled out due to his back, while Salmaan Moerat will miss out due to the concussion he sustained in Perth.

With Franco Mostert (broken leg), RG Snyman (foot), Jean Kleyn (eye and knee), and Lood de Jager (shoulder) facing a spell on the sidelines, the Springboks have turned to Pieter-Steph du Toit to fill in at the number four.

The squad will no doubt be bolstered by the return of captain Siya Kolisi, who will grasp the starting flank role alongside Ben-Jason Dixon.

This will also mark the return of Jasper Wiese, who was dealt a lengthy ban while playing for the Leicester Tigers. With the suspension now over, he slots in as the Bokke’s eightman.

Damian de Allende will partner Jesse Kriel at centre, with Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse selected on the wings.

Fans will hope that the young Western Province sensation Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continues his fine form, having impressed with his on-the-ball ability against Australia. This form confines the ever-reliable Handré Pollard to another cameo appearance from the bench.

New Zealand comes into the match having steadied the ship after a shock loss against Argentina in the Rugby Championship opener.

If the Boks can secure victory in Jo’burg, then they will be in pole position on their path to winning this year’s competition.

You can see the entire lineup below:

15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls)
10 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers)
9 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)
7 – Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92)
5 – Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls)
4 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls)
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
19 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls)
20 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls)
21 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)
22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
23 – Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers)

Source: The Citizen