Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has resisted making
wholesale changes to his team to play against Wales on Saturday, and has instead
gone for the safe and conservative options.
Bulls fullback Warrick Gelant will make his starting debut
on the wing after coming on as a second-half replacement against Italy last
week, while the rest of the backline remains intact.
The most changes come in the forwards, where Steven Kitshoff
will earn his second start of the year in place of the injured Tendai
Mtawarira, while Coetzee has gone for a new loose-trio combination which sees
Siya Kolisi return from paternity leave to start at No 6, and Dan du Preez will
make his first start at No 8.
Hooker Malcolm Marx also makes a return from injury in place
of Bongi Mbonambi, who drops to the bench.
There could be possible Bok debuts for Sharks scrumhalf
Louis Schreuder, who will start on the bench in place of Rudy Paige, while
Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am will also cover for the midfield.
“Dan gets the chance to start, and he fits into the plan for
Saturday,” Coetzee said on Thursday.
“Warrick is an elusive runner, he used his opportunity last
week and I am looking forward to see him getting a start on Saturday.
“It is great to welcome Malcolm back. However, Bongi did a
superb job against Italy,
and I expect the same performance from him when he comes on later in the game.”
Springbok Team
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Warrick Gelant, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Oupa Mohoje, 20 Uzair Cassiem, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Lukhanyo Am.