Rugby
ESPN staff 6y

Springboks make two changes to starting team vs. England

Rugby

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made two changes to the starting XV to face England in the second Test in Bloemfontein.

Pieter-Steph du Toit moves from the bench to replace Jean-Luc du Preez in the No. 7 jumper, and Frans Malherbe replaces Wilco Louw as tight-head prop.

Tendai Mtawarira, meanwhile, will make his 100th Test appearance for South Africa, having made his Springboks debut 10 years today, against Wales, on Jun. 14 2008. He is only the sixth Springboks player to reach the milestone.

Mtawarira, known as 'Beast', is the first Springboks prop to reach a century of Test caps, and he joins an elite group of only seven props who have made 100 or more Test appearances.

He will anchor the Springboks scrum in his milestone Test alongside hooker Bongi Mbonambi and Malherbe, who returns to the front-row in place of replaces Stormers teammate Louw after a lengthy absence due to injury.

Erasmus paid tribute to Mtawarira, whom he described as a great servant to Springboks rugby and a very good professional.

"Much like a typical front-rower, 'Beast' is not someone who likes the spotlight," Erasmus said.

"However, his contribution to Springbok rugby during the past decade has been enormous and I want to congratulate him on reaching 100 Test caps for South Africa.

"It is a special achievement and while he deserves the accolades. I know he will be totally focused on the most important job, and that is to face an extremely determined England side on Saturday in Bloem."

Erasmus said that South Africa must improve on their performance with which they defeated England 42-39 in the first Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

"England is a powerful side and I know Eddie Jones will have his team super prepared for Saturday," Erasmus said.

"They will no doubt want to bounce back to level the series, so it's going to be another huge Test of our resolve and character."

Springboks team to face England in Bloemfontein:

Willie le Roux; S'busiso Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain); Franco Mostert, RG Snyman; Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Steven Kitshoff, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Ivan van Zyl , Jesse Kriel, Warrick Gelant.

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