South Africa Makes Strategic Changes for Rugby Championship Clash Against New Zealand

South Africa has announced seven key changes to their lineup for the Rugby Championship test against New Zealand. Handre Pollard returns as flyhalf, and Willie le Roux is set to play fullback. Captain Siya Kolisi is cleared to play after injury, and Eben Etzebeth is set for his 126th cap.

South Africa have made seven changes to their starting line-up for the Rugby Championship test against New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday, including a return at flyhalf for Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux coming into the team at fullback.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has also been able to call on captain Siya Kolisi at flank after he received a facial injury in the 31-27 victory over the All Blacks in Johannesburg last weekend but has been cleared to play. Le Roux is joined in the back three by wings Canan Moodie and Cheslin Kolbe, with Kurt-Lee Arendse ruled out due to concussion. Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel are the centre-pairing, while Pollard replaces Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who moves to the bench.

Grant Williams gets to start at scrumhalf with Jaden Hendrikse taking his place on the bench in a rare 5-3 split between forwards and backs from Erasmus. Jasper Wiese remains at number eight, while Pieter-Steph du Toit returns to the flank after playing lock last weekend, along with Kolisi.

"Siya is a world-class player and captain, and he adds immense value to the team with the way he leads by example and galvanises the team when the pressure is on," Erasmus said. "Similarly to the call we made with Eben (Etzebeth) last week, our team policy is that if a player trains on a Monday and gets through training during the week pain-free, they can be selected for the weekend, and Siya did just that."

Etzebeth moves to within one of all-time Springboks cap record-holder Victor Matfield with his 126th appearance as he starts in the second row alongside Ruan Nortje. Mbonambi is at hooker in between props Frans Malherbe and Ox Nche.

"This match is going to be massive," said Erasmus. "New Zealand are a world-class outfit and we know that they'll be desperate to bounce back after leading in the second half last week. Team: 15-Willie le Roux, 14-Canan Moodie, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Cheslin Kolbe, 10-Handre Pollard, 9-Grant Williams, 8-Jasper Wiese, 7-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6-Siya Kolisi (captain), 5-Ruan Nortje, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 3-Frans Malherbe, 2-Bongi Mbonambi, 1-Ox Nche

Replacements: 16-Malcolm Marx, 17-Gerhard Steenekamp, 18-Vincent Koch, 19-Kwagga Smith, 20-Elrigh Louw, 21-Jaden Hendrikse, 22-Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23-Lukhanyo Am.

(With inputs from agencies.)