After a call-up to South Africa’s squad following Malcolm Marx’s Rugby World Cup-ending injury, Handré Pollard starts at 10 against Tonga in Marseille on Sunday, winning his first Springbok cap since August 2022.
Pollard is one of 12 changes of personnel to the Springboks’ starting line-up after their 13-8 loss to Ireland, with second-row Eben Etzebeth, captain Siya Kolisi - who leads the Springboks for the 50th time - and number eight Jasper Wiese the only players to retain their spots in the pack, while the whole backline has changed.
Duane Vermeulen, normally a number eight, starts at openside for the first time since November 2018 against France, and for only the third time in his 72-cap career.
Springboks head coach Jaques Nienaber said that there are several things they need to rectify following the Ireland loss: "We’ve got certain things that we have to rectify that we couldn’t get right against Ireland. In terms of our game plan, there are definitely some things that we will try a little bit differently in this game to see if it works. The result is very important but we need to fix that if we do get the opportunity to go into a quarter-final or knockout rugby. If we don’t fix those things we probably won’t last long in this competition."
Semisi Paea steps into the breach at number eight for Tonga, following Vaea Fifita’s four-game suspension, in a starting XV showing three changes to the one beaten by Scotland last time out, as coach Toutai Kefu strives to find the right combinations to unlock his team’s attacking potential. He’s also made two changes on both wings, with Anzelo Tuitavuki coming in for his Rugby World Cup debut on the left and Fine Inisi starting on the right.
Crucially, however, the front row trio of loose-head Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, hooker Paula Ngauamo and tight-head and captain Ben Tameifuna starts for the third match in a row. Between them, they have 15 career RWC appearances, and they will have their eyes on causing problems for the Springboks’ 37-year-old ‘rookie’ hooker – though the Springboks' props may have something to say about that plan...
Tonga assistant coach Dan Cronsaid they are ready for the best scrum in the world: “It’s a huge challenge for us scrum-wise, but one we’ve been planning for. We’ve been in camp for coming up for 12 weeks now. They’ve got some key weapons in there and a lot’s been made of their bench that comes on. We’ve got a plan in place and we’ve got to go out and put our style of scrumming on the field. The boys are pretty excited about the challenge of going against, in my opinion, probably the best scrum in the world.”
Teams:
Springboks: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Deon Fourie, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Marvin Orie, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Duane Vermeulen, 8 Jasper Wiese, 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Handre Pollard, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 13 Canan Moodie, 14 Grant Williams, 15 Willie Le Roux. Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Jesse Kriel.
Tonga: 1 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 2 Paula Ngauamo, 3 Ben Tameifuna (c), 4 Halaleva Fifita, 5 Sam Lousi, 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 7 Sione Talitui, 8 Semisi Paea, 9 Augustine Pulu, 10 William Havili, 11 Anzelo Tuitavuki, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 14 Fine Inisi, 15 Salesi Piutau. Replacements: 16 Sam Moli, 17 Tau Koloamatangi, 18 Sosefo Apikotoa, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Sione Vailanu, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Afusipa Taumoepeau.