TEAM PREDICTION: New halfback pairing for Boks

Over the two Tests on the Boks’ end-of-year to date, Bok coach Jacques Nienaber has made minimal changes to the pack, but he has been willing to mix things up to a degree among the backs.

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Damian Willemse started the first clash against Wales at fullback, while Jesse Kriel was selected on the wing in the absence of S’bu Nkosi.

For last weekend’s encounter against Scotland, Elton Jantjies slotted in at flyhalf, while Willlie le Roux returned to the No 15 jersey – albeit as as a result of a concussion to Willemse.

It does make things interesting ahead of this Saturday’s final Test of the year against England.

With the Boks reporting a clean bill of health, there might have been some temptation to hand Willemse another opportunity at fullback, particularly considering the Bok coaches did see the end-of-year tour as an opportunity to build up his game time at the highest level.

However, for this Saturday’s blockbuster fixture, it’s likely that the Boks will want to stick with the vast experience of Le Roux.

After Kriel produced an industrious performance against Scotland, with his work rate on defence particularly impressive, he should remain on the right wing for a third successive start.

As an aside, it does represent a case of missed opportunity for Nkosi, who would probably have been entrusted with the No 14 jersey throughout this tour if not for visa and passport issues that saw him only belatedly join up with the team.

The settled midfield combination of Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am is sure to remain intact, while two-try star from last weekend, Makazole Mapimpi, will also retain his spot on the left wing.

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It’s when it comes to the Boks’ selection at halfback where things should get interesting, though.

Herschel Jantjies endured a forgettable first half performance against Scotland, with Nienaber acknowledging that conditions in the northern hemisphere did require some getting used to, especially for a scrumhalf.

Considering overseas-based Cobus Reinach does have more experience on his side, and produced a solid showing in the second half against Scotland, it would stand to reason for him to pick up where he left off.

At flyhalf, Elton Jantjies delivered a decent display at Murrayfield, but there were suggestions before that game to indicate his selection was at least partly a ‘horses for courses’ one, based around the opposition and conditions.

For the final Test of the year, and in a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final, it can be expected that the Boks will revert back to starting their first-choice flyhalf Handre Pollard.

Here is how we think the Springboks will line up:

South Africa (possible) – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jesse Kriel, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn.

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