South Africa name experienced matchday squad for Japan clash

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has named an experienced line-up for the upcoming World Cup warm-up game against Japan to be played in Kumagaya on 6th September.

Erasmus has retained 22 players from the side that went on to secure a 16-16 draw against New Zealand at Westpac Stadium with the only change being the return of skipper Siya Kolisi, who has recovered from an injury.

There are a total of 18 changes made by Erasmus from the last time they took the field against Argentina at Loftus Versfeld. Willie le Roux returns to fullback with Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi at right and left wings respectively. Lukhanyo Am and Damian de Allende form the centre partnership and Handre Pollard returns as fly-half forming halfback partnership with Faf de Klerk.

The backrow comprises of Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kolisi with Franco Mostert and Eben Etzebeth at second row. Malcolm Marx has been the preferred hooker with Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe at loosehead and tighthead props respectively.

Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nykane, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, Frans Steyn and Jesse Kriel will provide cover from the bench.

South Africa starting line-up: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Reserves 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Jesse Kriel