Springboks make nine changes against All Blacks

It continues this weekend against New Zealand in a crucial Rugby Championship match at Emirates Airline Park. The head coach has made nine changes to the side that comfortably saw off Australia in Perth a fortnight ago.

However, that team was a fully experimental side with most regulars finding themselves on the bench or not in the squad. 

This week's selection has not come without its issues though. South Africa have major injury problems at lock with the first, second and most of the third-choice options out with injury. That means, regular enforcer at flank, Pieter-Steph du Toit will feature at lock, as he did in the first match against the Wallabies. He is partnered by Ruan Nortje.

Ben-Jason Dixon takes up the number seven jersey while Jasper Wiese returns from suspension to start at the back of the scrum.

Cobus Reinach returns to scrumhalf while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu retains the flyhalf jersey ahead of two-time World Cup winner, Handre Pollard.

The rest of the backline is as expected bar for Aphelele Fassie who started at 15 against Australia and retains that spot. Regular fullback, Willie le Roux does not make the squad.

1. Ox Niche

2. Bongi Mbonambi

3. Frans Malherbe

4. Pieter-Steph du Toit

5. Ruan Nortje

6. Siya Kolisi (c)

7. Ben-Jason Smith

8. Jasper Wiese

9. Cobus Reinach

10. Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu

11. Kurt-Lee Arendse

12. Damian de Allende

13. Jesse Kriel

14. Cheslin Kolbe

15. Aphelele Fassi

16. Malcolm Marx

17. Gerhard Steenkamp

18. Vincent Koch

19. Marco van Staden

20. Elrich Louw

21. Kwagga Smith

22. Grant Williams

23. Handre Pollard.