Rassie Erasmus has named a surprise centre pairing in his Springbok squad to face Scotland in the first Test of their Castle Lager Outgoing Tour at the iconic Murrayfield.
“Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith will earn his 50th Test cap on Sunday when the Springboks line up against Scotland at Murrayfield in their opening Castle Lager Outgoing Tour clash,” an SA Rugby statement said.
“Locks Franco Mostert and RG Snyman return to the green and gold jumper after long spells on the sidelines due to injury in a strong team named by national coach Rassie Erasmus, who named Eben Etzebeth as captain with Siya Kolisi starting on the bench.
“The 31-year-old Smith, who made his Springbok debut against Wales in Washington in 2018 and went on to win two Rugby World Cup winner’s medals, will start at No 8 as he celebrates this significant career milestone.
“Mostert returns to the team for the first time since recovering from the broken leg he suffered against Ireland in the Castle Lager Incoming Series and Snyman is fully fit after a foot injury sustained in Australia in the build-up to the first Test against the Wallabies in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, which ruled him out of the team’s triumphant campaign.
“Erasmus opted for a split of seven forwards and one back on the replacements’ bench and made 11 changes to the starting team that defeated Argentina in their closing Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash in Nelspruit in September. Fourteen players in the match-day squad featured in the match against the Pumas.
“There are 12 survivors in the 23 from the squad that last faced Scotland (in the pool stages of last year’s Rugby World Cup) – Mostert, Snyman, Etzebeth (lock), Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi (both hookers), Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden (all flankers), Jasper Wiese (No 8), Ox Nche (prop), Grant Williams (utility back) and Willie le Roux (fullback).”
“The 31-year-old Kleyn, who earned his seventh Test cap for the Springboks in the RWC final against New Zealand in France last year, returns to the national team for the first time this season after making a return to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship in September for Irish club Munster following a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an eye injury.
“Nortje – who made a strong statement in the Boks’ engine room this season which saw him assist the team to the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title – hurt his leg during Wednesday’s field training session, and with only three Test matches on this tour, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus opted to draft Kleyn into the travelling squad.
“Kleyn’s international experience with five Test matches to his name for Ireland and seven for the Springbok as well as an RWC title, adds valuable experience to the Bok lock stocks for the tour, where he joins the likes of RG Snyman, Franco Mostert and Eben Etzebeth.
‘“It’s sad to lose Ruan to injury, as he’s had a fantastic season and really made a strong statement after injuries initially prompted his call-up to the squad,”’ said Erasmus. ‘“He certainly grabbed the opportunity with both hands, and we wish him luck with his recovery.”’
Erasmus added: ‘“Ruan’s injury opens the door for Jean to make a return to the national squad for the first time this season, and judging by his performances for Munster since making a comeback to the Vodacom URC combined with his familiarity of our structures and being a regular in our team last season, we are excited to welcome him back.
‘“He’s also played with most of the players in the squad and is familiar with the conditions in the UK as he’s based in Ireland, so he should slot in with ease.”’
Erasmus will name his matchday team to face Scotland on Friday.
5️⃣0️⃣ up for Kwagga Smith on Sunday as a couple of injured stalwarts return to the #Springboks team to face Scotland in Edinburgh - more here: https://t.co/4YzPoQb0qY 🦓#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/ADqPo2iyvL
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 8, 2024
