- Title: South Africa name unchanged side for New Zealand clash
- Date: 18th September 2019
- Summary: VARIOUS OF REPORTER WORKING
- Embargoed: 2nd October 2019 09:52
- Keywords: Springboks South Africa Rugby team announcement Rassie Erasmus New Zealand All Blacks Eben Etzebeth
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Rugby Union,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA002AX6O37J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus made just one change from the starting side that drew with New Zealand in July when he named his team for Saturday's (September 21) crunch Rugby World Cup clash with the world champions in Yokohama.
Siya Kolisi, who missed the 16-16 Wellington draw because of injury, will captain the side at openside flanker in place of Kwagga Smith to make up an imposing back row with number eight Duane Vermeulen and blindside Pieter Steph du Toit.
Otherwise, Erasmus has stuck with the side that last played the All Blacks for a match that is likely to decide who wins Pool B and enjoys the potentially relatively easier path through to the final.
The matchday squad was identical to the one Erasmus put out for the 41-7 victory over Japan in Kumagaya this month that kept the Springboks unbeaten this year.
Prop Trevor Nyakane retained his place on the bench despite question marks over his fitness, while Cheslin Kolbe held onto his place on the right wing despite the form of Sbu Nkosi.
There was no place for Smith or Nkosi on the bench with Francois Louw covering the back row and Jesse Kriel the back three.
The versatile 32-year-old Frans Steyn will cover the centres and act as back-up to starting flyhalf Handre Pollard with Elton Jantjies missing out altogether despite starting tests against Argentina and Australia in the number 10 shirt this year.
Coach Erasmus was quizzed at a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday (September 18) about lock Eben Etzebeth, who has an allegation of racism hanging over him.
A complaint has been laid against Etzebeth with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), which is investigating whether the player physically and racially abused a patron at a bar last month.
Etzebeth has categorically denied any wrongdoing and is with the Boks in Japan as they prepare for the World Cup, having also been given the backing of South African Rugby until such time as an adverse finding is made against him.
(Production: Lucien Libert) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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