Rassie Erasmus Makes Changes for Springboks Clash Against England
South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, has made significant changes to the Springboks lineup for their upcoming match against England at Twickenham. After the controversial 7-1 bench split in their previous game against Scotland, Erasmus has opted for a more traditional 5-3 split for the clash with England.
The starting XV sees a return to a mostly full-strength team, with 12 changes made from the Scotland game. Notable surprises include Manie Libbok at flyhalf, Wilco Louw at tighthead prop, RG Snyman at lock, and Grant Williams at scrumhalf. Key players like Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, and Pieter-Steph du Toit have also been brought back into the lineup.
In the backline, familiar faces like Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, and Damian de Allende make their return, alongside newcomers Libbok and Williams. The bench split consists of Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard, and Lukhanyo Am as the back replacements, with a strong forward pack ready to make an impact when called upon.
Bench Split
Following the backlash from the previous bench split, Erasmus has reverted to a more balanced 5-3 split for the England game. The forwards on the bench, including Malcolm Marx, Vincent Koch, and Kwagga Smith, provide versatility and depth to the squad.
Erasmus emphasized the need to select a squad based on the specific challenge England presents, highlighting the team’s ability to adapt and switch positions if necessary. Despite England’s recent narrow defeats, the Springboks are wary of the challenge they pose and are prepared for a tough encounter at Twickenham.
South Africa has a recent history of success against England, with victories in their last two meetings. However, they are not underestimating their opponents and are focused on delivering a strong performance to secure another win over England.
