Springboks Willemse World Cup

South Africa’s Springboks flyhalf Damian Willemse gestures before striking a penalty. Photo: AFP

What do you think of this Springboks backline to face All Blacks?

Damian Willemse will wear the No 10 jersey when the Springboks face the All Blacks in a crucial Rugby Championship game on Saturday.

Springboks Willemse World Cup

South Africa’s Springboks flyhalf Damian Willemse gestures before striking a penalty. Photo: AFP

This past weekend the Springboks fielded one of their most dynamic backlines, filled with X factor, for the opening Test of the year against the Wallabies.

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The results were highly impressive in the end, with South Africa playing an attractive brand of rugby as they clinched an emphatic victory that was headlined by the hat-trick scored by Kurt-Lee Arendse.

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However, there will be several changes to the backline for this Saturday’s encounter against the All Blacks, with Willie le Roux in fact the only player expected to retain his place in the starting lineup.

It’s understood that the Springboks backline for this weekend will look like this: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk.

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* Let us know what you think of this backline selection by clicking on the comment button at the end of this article.

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Also as a reminder, this is how the backline looked against the Wallabies: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach.

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The Springboks have regrouped in New Zealand

Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids said he expected a physical grind against New Zealand as the second group of players and coaches made their way east on Monday.

Davids was among the contingent that departed Johannesburg on Sunday night, and while he was pleased with the Springboks’ performance in their 43-12 victory against Australia in Pretoria, he was wary of the battle ahead against an All Blacks team that defeated the Pumas 41-12 in Argentina.

“I thought it was quite an impressive start by the All Blacks,” said Davids.

“They delivered quite a physical and intense performance, and the fact that they led 31-0 at the break shows what they can do when they get opportunities. For us it’s going to be very important to look after our possession.

“We’re expecting a very tough, physical game from them. It’s never easy going down there, and with the crowd behind them, they’ll be an even tougher opponent.”

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Springboks Jacques Nienaber Rugby World Cup
The Springboks in a huddle. Photo: SA Rugby website

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