LONDON (AP) — Siya Kolisi returned as captain and prop Wilco Louw was picked for his first test match since 2021 as South Africa made 12 changes for the rugby test against under-pressure England on Saturday.
Only forwards Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche and Bongi Mbonambi were retained on Thursday from the team which defeated Scotland 32-15 on Sunday, meaning Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus changed his entire back division to deal with a six-day turnaround.
Erasmus has averaged 8.5 personnel changes per test in the 11 matches since the Boks’ opening test in 2024, against Wales in June. That was also at Twickenham, where Saturday’s match is staged.
Kolisi reclaimed the armband from Etzebeth, while Louw — a late injury call-up for the tour — was back for the first time since a behind-closed-doors test against Argentina during the pandemic.
Erasmus went with a 5-3 split in favor of the forwards on the bench, unlike a 7-1 against the Scots.
England, which has lost its last four matches and was beaten by the Boks in the Rugby World Cup semifinals last year, was scheduled to name its team later Thursday.
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South Africa: Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Manie Libbok, Grant Williams; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, RG Snyman, Eben Etzebeth, Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am.
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