The Springboks are likely to recall first alternative flyhalf Handre Pollard rather than misfiring Elton Jantjies for the second Test in opposition to Wales on Saturday.
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The Springboks will take a 1-0 lead into the match in Bloemfontein after an injury-time Damian Willemse penalty snatched a 32-29 first Test victory this weekend.
World champions South Africa have been woeful within the first half and trailed by 15 factors at half-time earlier than a personnel change turned the tide in Pretoria.
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Jantjies was taken off through the break and veteran Willie le Roux got here on at fullback, permitting Willemse to maneuver to flyhalf, the place he impressed.
After the shut shave in opposition to opponents eight locations under top-ranked South Africa, coach Jacques Nienaber not directly criticised Jantjies when he mentioned “our kicking game was not functioning”.
“It is probably the one reason why we struggled to get out of our half (in the first half). It is probably the one thing we will have to improve.”
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Pollard, who kicked 22 factors within the 2019 Rugby World Cup closing conquer England in Japan, missed a lot of the primary Test build-up because of French Top 14 commitments with champions Montpellier.
But handing the No 10 shirt to Jantjies was a gamble as he had not performed for Japanese membership Docomo Red Hurricanes since December because of an harm and was arrested two months in the past after an airline incident.
Jantjies was detained on the foremost airport in Johannesburg after allegedly inflicting malicious harm to property throughout a flight from Dubai, however the case was later provisionally withdrawn.
Another Springbok star set to return for the possibly series-clinching second worldwide is 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit.
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Du Toit suffered a critical shoulder harm halfway via the sequence in opposition to the British & Irish Lions final yr and solely returned to motion in Japan final January.
Another harm prevented him being absolutely concerned in coaching for the primary Test, however the free ahead is prone to be out there for Bloemfontein and will substitute Franco Mostert.
Springboks have kind issues over skipper Siya Kolisi
While Nienaber likes to ring the adjustments early within the second half of matches, the choice to tug off captain Siya Kolisi after solely 51 minutes was important.
Kolisi, who skippered the Springboks to their third World Cup title and have become an prompt nationwide hero, has not been overly spectacular not too long ago taking part in for the Sharks within the United Rugby Championship (URC).
No 8 Jasper Wiese, was voted man of the match as he continues to face in for veteran Duane Vermeulen, who’s recovering from surgical procedure.
Scraping a three-point win over Wales, who had solely 12 males on the sphere for a number of minutes late within the second half because of yellow playing cards, got here as a shock to South African followers and specialists.
TV analyst and former Springboks coach Nick Mallett mentioned earlier than the sequence that it will be a “massive disappointment” if the hosts didn’t win by no less than 15 factors.
Wales had misplaced all 10 earlier Tests in South Africa, together with a 96-13 thrashing in Pretoria 24 years in the past.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
