SOUTH AFRICA HAVE made three changes for Saturday’s must-win Pool B meeting with Scotland at St James’ Park.
Although still favourites to top the pool, defeat to Japan in their opening game has left the Springboks looking over their shoulder in the pool,
While they still remain on course to make it to the quarter finals, defeat would leave Scotland in pole position to claim top spot.
Head coach Heyneke Meyer is taking few chances with his starting XV, making three changes from Saturday’s 40 point win against Samoa at Villa Park.
Twoof those changes are forced, as Jesse Kriel wears number 13 in place of injured captain Jean de Villiers, who has had surgery on a fractured jaw picked up last week.
He partners Damien De Allende in the centre, with the pair linking up again after impressing together in the Rugby Championship.
It’s the only change in the backline from Saturday’s win, with Fourie du Preez again starting over Ruan Pienaar.
Du Preez captains the side in the absence of de Villiers and regular stand-in Victor Matfield, whose injury sees Lood de Jager partner Eben Etzebeth in the second row.
The third switch comes in the front row, with Bismarck du Plessis brought back into the starting side alongside his brother Jannie and Tendai Mtawarira; Adriaan Strauss starting from the bench.
South Africa (v Scotland)
15. Willie le Roux
14. JP Pieterson
13. Jesse Kriel
12. Damian De Allende
11. Bryan Habana
10. Handre Pollard
9. Fourie du Preez
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Lood de Jager
6. Francois Louw
7. Schalk Burger
8. Duane Vermuelen
Replacements
16. Adriaan Strauss
17. Trevor Nyakane
18. Frans Malherbe
19. Pieter-Steph du Toit
20. Willem Alberts
21. Ruan Pienaar
22. Pat Lambie
23. Jan Serfontein
