Cobus Reinach is set to earn his 50th Test cap against Wales in Cardiff for a rebuilt Springbok side featuring a 7-1 bench.
Reinach, at 35 and in the form of his life, will come off the bench for his milestone appearance as Rassie Erasmus navigates a wave of enforced changes for a fixture that falls outside the international window.
Erasmus has made nine changes to the team that beat Ireland in Dublin, with several frontline stars unavailable due to club commitments. The Bok coach has responded by pulling a host of trusted operators into the starting XV while retaining seven members of last week’s victorious run-on side.
JAKE: No one can live with the Boks
Up front, Johan Grobbelaar packs down between props Wilco Louw and Gerhard Steenekamp – the latter set for his first Test start – while Jean Kleyn partners Ruan Nortje at lock. Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert and Jasper Wiese reunite as a hard-nosed loose trio.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continues at flyhalf, pairing with Morne van den Berg at scrumhalf, while Andre Esterhuizen links with Damian de Allende in a powerful midfield. Canan Moodie and Ethan Hooker start out wide, with Damian Willemse again at fullback.
RASSIE ON 7-1 BENCH: My hand was forced
Erasmus has doubled down on forward dominance with a 7-1 bench split, loading his Bomb Squad with Bongi Mbonambi, Zachary Porthen, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Eben Etzebeth, Marco van Staden, Ben-Jason Dixon and Kwagga Smith, with Reinach the lone backline option.
“We knew we’d be without some players this week, but we’re pleased with the group we’ve selected,” Erasmus said. “This squad has been together for almost five weeks, so many of these combinations are settled, and others have shown real growth. We want to finish our tour with a strong performance.”
Erasmus praised Reinach’s longevity as the scrumhalf prepares for his landmark Test.
“Cobus is a true team man. He’s been outstanding this season and over many years. To reach 50 caps at 35 says everything about his professionalism and hunger.”
MORE: Ex-Bok backs Tandy to turn Wales around
The Bok coach also expects Wales to punch hard despite their own player availability challenges.
“Both teams are in a similar situation, but Wales have a balanced squad with experience and youth. They’ll come out firing. It’s the final Test of the year – no one will hold back.”
SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Damian de Allende, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Zachary Porthen, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Ben-Jason Dixon, 22 Kwagga Smith, 23 Cobus Reinach.
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
The post Reinach reaches 50 for Boks, Nuke Squad returns appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.