LIONS PAIR RUAN Combrinck and Warren Whiteley have been rewarded for their impact off the bench last weekend by being named in South Africa’s starting XV for the third Test against Ireland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday [KO 4pm Irish time, Sky Sports].
Combrinck was man of the match in the second Test, despite playing only 40 minutes, as his powerful running helped the Boks to overcome a 16-point half-time deficit and tie the series at 1-1.
Whiteley, who starts at number eight this weekend, joined Combrinck on the try-scoring sheet last time out with an impressive showing off the bench.
He replaces the injured Duane Vermeulen for the third Test, while Combrinck takes the place of Lwazi Mvovo, who is dropped to the bench.
Also among the replacements in Allister Coetzee’s matchday squad are uncapped Bordeaux prop Steven Kitshoff – replacing the injured Trevor Nyakane – and Jaco Kriel of the Lions, who is also set to win his Test debut after a superb Superb Rugby season.
South Africa:
15. Willie le Roux
14. Ruan Combrinck
13. Lionel Mapoe
12. Damian de Allende
11. JP Pietersen
10. Elton Jantjies
9. Faf de Klerk
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Adriaan Strauss (captain)
3. Frans Malherbe
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Pieter-Steph du Toit
6. Francois Louw
7. Siya Kolisi
8. Warren Whiteley
Replacements:
16. Bongi Mbonambi
17. Steven Kitshoff
18. Julian Redelinghuys
19. Franco Mostert
20. Jaco Kriel
21. Rudy Paige
22. Morné Steyn
23. Lwazi Mvovo
Referee: Glen Jackson [New Zealand].
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
