Rassie makes last minute changes ahead of Welsh test

Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, has decided to rest prop Ox Nche for Saturday’s Test against Wales in Cardiff, which will see a front-row reshuffle with Wilco Louw returning to the starting team at tighthead prop, while Thomas du Toit will move to loosehead.

Nche started last week’s Test against England in London and the match against Scotland in Edinburgh, but Erasmus and the coaching team decided that it would be best for him to rest this weekend.

As a result, Louw has been drafted into the starting team for the final Test of the Outgoing Tour, while the replacements bench remains unchanged from the one named by Erasmus on Tuesday.

Louw played his 15th Test for the Boks last week after last featuring in the green and gold in 2021, and his inclusion in the starting lineup will see him play his second match in a row on the tour.

“Ox has been a key player for us this season and, given his high work-rate over the last few months, we opted to rest him for this clash,” said Erasmus.

“Wilco started last week’s match, and he’s been training well this week, so it makes sense to include him in the starting team and move Thomas to loosehead prop. It also maintains the consistency we have in the front row among the replacements.”

Erasmus also revealed that four players who were not included in the matchday squad would return home on Wednesday to spend time with their families before returning to their respective clubs and franchises.

Utility forward, Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is nursing a shoulder niggle, returned home on Monday. Kwagga Smith, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen and Makazole Mapimpi will also be going home. Written by Ntsako Mkhari