World Current Bulletin
CAPE TOWN — Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has made significant changes to his lineup ahead of this weekend's clash against New Zealand, moving Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to the bench following a challenging series opener.
The All Blacks secured a decisive 33-16 victory in Johannesburg last weekend under new coach Dave Rennie. During that match, New Zealand effectively targeted Feinberg-Mngomezulu during contact situations, forcing five turnovers and occasionally leaving the young fly-half exposed defensively before he transitioned to full-back in the second half.
Erasmus has responded to the opening defeat by drafting experienced personnel into the starting XV. Thirty-two-year-old Handre Pollard, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner, will step in to direct the team at fly-half for Saturday's rematch in Cape Town.
Additional adjustments were forced due to injuries within the squad. With Cheslin Kolbe and Grant Williams sidelined, Ethan Hooker and Cobus Reinach have been named to start on the wing and at scrum-half, respectively.
In the pack, captain Siya Kolisi is a candidate to return to the back row after overcoming a hamstring issue. However, Erasmus has also included Paul de Villiers among the backups at blindside flanker as a precautionary measure in case the captain is not fully fit.
Veteran forward Deon Fourie could also make a long-awaited return to international action. The thirty-nine-year-old, who logged extensive minutes during the closing stages of South Africa's 2023 World Cup final victory over New Zealand, has been named among the replacements and is in line for his first cap since that tournament.
Reflecting on the opening match, Erasmus acknowledged that missed opportunities ultimately derailed the team's efforts. He noted that while there were positive indicators during the encounter, costly errors at crucial moments prevented the Springboks from capitalizing on their chances. The coaching staff has focused heavily during training on sharpening execution to ensure a different outcome in the second fixture.
Meanwhile, New Zealand is preparing for the remainder of the four-month series, marketed as one of the sport's premier rivalries, with potential additions to their own roster. The All Blacks are weighing an immediate international return for Richie Mo'unga as they look to extend their advantage.
The thirty-two-year-old playmaker served as New Zealand's primary fly-half during their 2023 World Cup campaign but has been unavailable for selection while playing club rugby in Japan. Following his recent signing with Canterbury and the Crusaders, coupled with an injury to teammate Billy Proctor, Mo'unga is positioned for a potential comeback.
Mo'unga is set to start at fly-half in a midweek fixture against the Johannesburg-based Lions. He stated that his motivation to rejoin the national setup was reignited while watching international matches abroad last year, and he expressed full readiness to support the squad regardless of his specific role moving forward.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.
