CCN Sport Reporter – George April
CAPE TOWN: The Springboks have made several changes for the second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town.
The bigger question is whether they also have a better game plan. Rassie Erasmus has not ripped up the team sheet. The changes are limited, but they land in important positions. Compared to the side that lost 33-16 at Ellis Park on Saturday, there are five alterations to the starting XV, plus a notable shift among the loose forwards:
– 10_ Handré Pollard comes in for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
– 9_ Cobus Reinach replaces Grant Williams
– 11_ Ethan Hooker takes over from Kurt-Lee Arendse
– 6 _ Siya Kolisi returns (with Paul de Villiers still in the mix)
– 7 _ Pieter-Steph du Toit moves to openside and takes the captaincy
The official announcement also confirms that Du Toit will earn his 100th Test cap in Cape Town, while Ox Nché reaches his 50th. The most important change isn’t just the five names; Pollard and Reinach could make a real difference.
The Boks struggled to control the game when the pressure rose against the All Blacks. Pollard brings experience and composure. Reinach offers a sharp, experienced link between the forwards and the backs.
Siya Kolisi’s return adds more than just rugby quality. It brings leadership and decision-making under pressure, something the first Test showed was badly needed. Rassie himself admitted after the defeat that the Boks got a lot wrong and that New Zealand punished their mistakes.
The big question mark: Ethan Hooker
He is an interesting selection, but it is a heavy responsibility against this All Blacks backline.
In Johannesburg, the All Blacks showed they do not need long periods of possession to hurt teams. They scored five tries from the chances they created, while South Africa’s execution repeatedly let them down.
Will these changes bring improvement?
Yes – but not automatically.
The new halfback pairing of Pollard and Reinach looks better suited to a game in which the Boks need to control territory, apply pressure and make smarter decisions. Kolisi’s return is another clear positive.
But if the Boks again concede 20-plus turnovers, handle poorly and rush their decisions, five changes will not be enough. The All Blacks have already shown how clinical they are at turning South African errors into points.
The bigger task
On paper, this team is stronger than the one that played at Ellis Park. Rassie’s real job, however, is bigger than swapping five players; he must change the way the Springboks manage the contest.
The first Test showed the Boks were physically competitive, especially in the scrum – but that New Zealand played the better rugby once the game opened.
Five changes have been made – the real test now is whether Rassie is solving the right problem.
