Let the debate begin: We pick our Springbok line-up to face Wales in Cape Town decider

The Springboks, still smarting from a shock loss, will revert to a full-strength team in what will be a must-win Test against Wales in Cape Town on Saturday.

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No one could have predicted what has transpired over the first two Tests in the series against Wales.

Initially, the Springboks were expected to claim a comfortable victory in the opening encounter between the two teams, but ultimately had to rely on a late penalty to avoid an embarrassing loss.

The coaches then rolled the dice by taking a massive gamble in overhauling the entire squad for the second Test, with just three players retaining their place in the Boks’ match-23.

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Such a radical selection led to an understandably disjointed performance, as well as a historic first-ever loss to Wales in South Africa.

Springboks will revert to their strongest line-up

In the end, the likes of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Evan Roos and Jaden Hendrikse delivered decent performances, but nothing will stop the Springboks from now reverting back to their strongest available line-up.

It can be expected that the ‘first-choice’ team from the first Test will be reinstated, except for TWO changes.

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Although Handre Pollard hardly set the scene alight this past Saturday, there is no doubt that he will retain the No 10 jersey for this weekend’s battle in Cape Town, with Elton Jantjies unlikely to be in the match-day 23.

Pieter-Steph du Toit got through an important 80 minutes of action in Bloemfontein, and he should continue to build momentum with another start at blindside flank as Franco Mostert drops to the bench.

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Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber will name his match-day 23-man squad for the opening Test on Tuesday, 12 July at 11:45.

Ahead of him doing so, The South African website’s Craig Lewis and Garrin Lambley have selected the squads they believe the Springboks’ brains trust will read out.

Meanwhile, Wales will name their starting XV and substitutes 48 hours later on Thursday, 14 July at 12:30.

Kick-off for the Test at the Cape Town Stadium is at 17:05 and, as always, the best place to follow the action LIVE is on The South African website.

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CRAIG LEWIS’ EXPECTED SPRINGBOK 23-MAN SQUAD

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Willie le Roux

GARRIN LAMBLEY’S EXPECTED SPRINGBOK 23-MAN SQUAD

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Elrigh Louw, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Willie le Roux

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