Springboks starting Mostert, Jantjies, le Roux against Scots
EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Franco Mostert, Elton Jantjies and Willie le Roux have been brought back as starters for South Africa against Scotland on Saturday at Murrayfield.
Mostert, at lock, and Jantjies, at flyhalf, were rotated in for Lood de Jager and Handre Pollard after coming off the bench in the 23-18 win over Wales last weekend.
Le Roux was named at fullback after Damian Willemse took a head knock against Wales and has been forced to follow concussion protocols. They are the only three changes.
"Scotland will be a force to be reckoned with at Murrayfield, so it was important for us to maintain continuity within our squad,” coach Jacques Nienaber said.
"Elton has been training very well since the squad assembled ... and he's performed well every time he earned a run, so we thought it was the right time to hand him a start.”
The Springboks have lost to Scotland only twice in this century but are wary after Australia lost at Murrayfield 15-13 on Sunday.
"Scotland have a quality team with a number of experienced players and a few British and Irish Lions players, so we are under no illusions about the challenge ahead,” Nienaber said.
"We laid a good foundation for the tour in Cardiff last week ... (but) we need to step up our discipline.
"The scrums will, of course, be a key battle with former Springbok scrum coach Pieter de Villiers now serving that role for Scotland, but that is an area of the game we pride ourselves on, too.”
Mostert and wing Jesse Kriel will reach 50 caps and Frans Steyn, the longest playing Springbok, will pass 15 years on Saturday. Steyn kicked an important 54-meter penalty against Wales and was named player of the match.
"Playing international rugby for 15 years is an extraordinary achievement and what makes this feat even more remarkable is that Frans continues to show his class despite being at the twilight of his career,” Nienaber said.
"His influence is equally valuable off the field and it is fantastic to have a player of his caliber guide the young players in the squad.”
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South Africa: Willie le Roux, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Elton Jantjies, Herschel Jantjies; Duane Vermeulen, Kwagga Smith, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nché. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Lood de Jager, Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Handré Pollard, Frans Steyn.
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