Damian Willemse will start at fullback in one of several changes for the Springboks’ final World Cup pool match against Canada in Kobe on Tuesday.
Nine of the team that defeated Namibia 57-3 in City of Toyota in the preceding match regain a starting place while Willemse, who flew in last Thursday as a replacement for the injured Jesse Kriel, will make his first Test appearance of the year after missing the Rugby Championship and World Cup warm-ups with a knee injury.
Willemse’s inclusion at fullback means that Warrick Gelant shifts to right wing while Sbu Nkosi starts on the left wing and Makazole Mapimpi is given a rest after starting all three of the Boks’ World Cup matches.
Captain Siya Kolisi and centre Damian de Allende will make a second successive start while five of the replacements from the victory over Italy (49-3) – Frans Steyn, Francois Louw, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman and Vincent Koch – are promoted to the starting lineup.
There are also first starts at the World Cup for Thomas du Toit and Cobus Reinach.
Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Warrick Gelant, 13 Damian de Allende, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Sbu Nkosi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Francois Louw, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
