Springboks reveal new-look backline for crucial All Blacks Test

WELLINGTON — 12 September

Rassie Erasmus has named debutant Ethan Hooker on the wing in a restructured Springbok lineup for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against the All Blacks in Wellington. The match at Sky Stadium will determine the winner of the Freedom Cup.

The Springbok coach reshuffled his backline, pairing Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, placing Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie in midfield, and selecting Hooker alongside Cheslin Kolbe on the wings with Aphelele Fassi at fullback.

Captain Siya Kolisi returns to flanker, partnering Pieter-Steph du Toit, while Jasper Wiese makes his first appearance at No 8 since serving a four-match suspension. Lood de Jager replaces RG Snyman at lock, joining Ruan Nortje, with the front row unchanged.

Erasmus described his selections as “an exciting team, which we believe will provide us with the forward power we require, and spark in the backline”. He added: “We feel fresh legs and energy are what we need to come away with the desired result in this vital match.”

The coach expects “another epic encounter” against New Zealand. “We need a top-class performance to ensure we’re in contention to win the Rugby Championship,” Erasmus said. “We know what we must fix after last week’s errors.”

The Freedom Cup clash kicks off at 09:05 (SA time) on Saturday. Should South Africa win, they will retain the trophy captured last year for the first time since 2009.

TEAMS

South Africa

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche

Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen

New Zealand

TBA