Ruan Dreyer will earn his first Test cap in the final test match against France this weekend, Dreyer being one of four changes to the starting team.
Dreyer jumps right into the starting line-up ahead of Frans Malherbe, who drops out of the match 23 completely. Jean-Luc du Preez gets his first start in the Green and Gold jersey, replacing the concussed Oupa Mohoje.
In the backline, Francois Hougaard gets the nod at scrumhalf, Ross Cronje also concussed and out of action. Rudi Paige comes onto the bench for the first time this season. The final change is in midfield where a fit again Jesse Kriel joins Jan Serfontein, Lionel Mapoe playing for the SA A team this weekend.
The only other change on the bench is Jaco Kriel in for the promoted du Preez.
South Africa:15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Rudi Paige, 22 Francois Steyn, 23 Dillyn Leyds.
Tweet
Are concussions on the rise or have protocols just improved to the point where they are more accurately diagnosed?
@vanmartin (Comment 1) : I reckon its the latter – more accurately diagnosed.
@vanmartin (Comment 1) : I was wondering the same thing. We do seem to be getting more serious concussions than other countries’ players do though.
Good team but I still feel the back three is a little bit too small in comparison with other top teams but thus far they have been solid so no real complaints. Great for JLdP to get his first start!
@vanmartin (Comment 1) : I recon protocols have become more conservative.
@coolfusion (Comment 4) : Good for players
@Quintin (Comment 3) : Worried about Hougaard though. I might have taken a chance on Janno Vermaak over him.
@coolfusion (Comment 6) : I just hope Hougaard does not get injured early in the game. We have Rudi Paige as the backup. He is not even first choice at the Bulls and they are the currently the worst team in SA.
I won two tickets on Tuesday on GrootFM radio station – so my wife and I will be going! Looking forward and excited, as this will be our first live Bok game and also in my 30 years of existence the first time I win something – just thought I share with my “Sharksworld Family” 😉 😎
@DuToit04 (Comment 8) : Very chuffed for you – I know you will enjoy it.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 9) : thanks for the kind words!
@DuToit04 (Comment 8) : Shot boet!
@Mutley (Comment 7) : Why I wonder why they didn’t promote vermaak rather
@DuToit04 (Comment 8) : Nice bro, Enjoy, I take it you live in or close too Jozi ?
@DuToit04 (Comment 8) : Enjoy it boet. My first live bok game was the 1st test against the All Blacks in 1976 at Kings Park. I will never forget it.