Nienaber makes two changes to starting team for world cup final
Written by Ayanda Nyuswa on 26 October, 2023
By Ayanda Nyuswa
Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber has made two changes to the starting team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final clash against the All Blacks in Paris. The World Cup winning half-back pairing of Handre Pollard and Faf de Klerk have returned to the starting team, in the only changes to the team that started against England the Semi finals. Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach dropped out of the squad completely to accommodate the 7/1 split on bench, with Willie le Roux being the only backline player on the bench.
Jasper Wiese and lock Jean Kleyn return to the replacements bench after being in the non-playing squad in the semi finals. Trevor Nyakane also makes his return to the team as the only forced change as he comes in for the injured Vincent Koch.
The Boks will meet the All Blacks in the World Cup final for the second time in history, after meeting in the 1995 final which South Africa won on home soil.
Springboks squad:
15.Damien Willemse, 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse 13. Jessie Kriel 12. Damien De Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe 10. Handre Pollard 9. Faf de Klerk 8. Duane Vermuelen 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit 6. Siya Kolisi 5. Franco Mostert 4. Eben Etzebeth 3. Frans Malherbe 2. Bongi Mbonambi 1. Steven Kitshoff
Replacements:
16.Deon Fourie 17. Ox Nche 18. Trevor Nyakane 19. Jean Kleyn 20. RG Snyman 21. Kwagga Smith 22. Jasper Wiese 23. Willie le Roux
