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    Moodie and Hendrikse Return, Kolisi Cleared for Battle Against the All Blacks

    The Springboks are gearing up for another clash against the All Blacks, with key players Canan Moodie (wing) and Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf) making their long-awaited return to the starting line-up for the first time since their Rugby World Cup (RWC) glory in 2023. Joining them on the battlefield this Saturday in Cape Town are seasoned veterans Willie le Roux (fullback) and Lukhanyo Am (utility back), as the Springboks aim to continue their Rugby Championship charge.

    The highly anticipated match kicks off at 17:00, promising a heart-pounding rematch after last week’s nail-biting 31-27 victory over New Zealand at Ellis Park. Coach Rassie Erasmus has rung the changes, bringing in a fresh batch of reinforcements to the starting XV, with seven new faces, including the unstoppable duo of Moodie and Le Roux.

    Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, a force of nature both on and off the field, has been cleared to play after recovering from a hard blow to the cheek during last week’s clash. Fans can rest assured that Kolisi is raring to go, ready to lead his side alongside fellow warriors Jasper Wiese (No. 8) and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who returns to his favored flanker position.

    Eben Etzebeth, another vital cog in the Bok machine, will be locking horns with the All Blacks once again, this time paired with the ever-reliable Ruan Nortje in the second row. With Du Toit shifting back to flanker and Le Roux resuming his role as the last line of defense, the stage is set for yet another epic contest between these two rugby giants.

    Moodie, who last donned the green and gold in the Springboks’ RWC pool match against Tonga, is back in the spotlight after recovering from surgery on a fractured finger. Meanwhile, Hendrikse makes his triumphant return following shoulder surgery. The pair, along with the charismatic Kolisi, are primed to shake things up.

    Erasmus was especially pleased to have his captain back in the mix, praising Kolisi’s leadership and grit: “Siya is a world-class player and captain. He leads by example and rallies the team when the pressure is on. We have full faith that he’ll give everything on the field this weekend.”

    This weekend’s match will also serve as the battleground for the coveted Freedom Cup, which the All Blacks have held since 2010. Erasmus warned that New Zealand would be itching for revenge after their defeat last weekend: “This match is going to be massive. They’ll be desperate to bounce back, and we’ll need to be at our very best to register another victory.”

    With a team stacked with pace and X-factor, Erasmus knows the Boks will need a monumental effort to secure the win. The All Blacks have proven time and again that they thrive under pressure, especially in the final 20 minutes. For the Boks, this means 80 minutes of full-throttle intensity will be required to reclaim the Freedom Cup.

    Moodie steps into the void left by Kurt-Lee Arendse, who has been sidelined with a concussion. His inclusion sees Kolbe switch wings to the left, while Grant Williams partners up with Handre Pollard at scrumhalf and flyhalf respectively. Etzebeth returns to start after last week’s bench appearance, with Le Roux slotting straight into the fullback role.

    And let’s not forget the bench – a formidable mix of experience and firepower, featuring Am, Hendrikse, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu among the backs, while the front row features Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Vincent Koch, ready to storm onto the field when called upon.

    Etzebeth continues his quest to surpass Victor Matfield’s record as the most-capped Springbok, with Saturday’s Test being his 126th appearance – just one short of Matfield’s iconic 127 caps. Willie le Roux is also inching closer to the century club, with his start pushing him to 97 caps. If that weren’t enough, Pollard needs just nine points to leapfrog Morne Steyn as the second-highest points scorer for the Boks, with Percy Montgomery still holding the top spot.

    However, as Erasmus has made clear, the focus is on the game ahead, not the potential records or accolades. With the Freedom Cup, Rugby Championship standings, and Springbok pride on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

    Springbok Team to Face New Zealand:

    • 15 Willie le Roux
    • 14 Canan Moodie
    • 13 Jesse Kriel
    • 12 Damian de Allende
    • 11 Cheslin Kolbe
    • 10 Handre Pollard
    • 9 Grant Williams
    • 8 Jasper Wiese
    • 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
    • 6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
    • 5 Ruan Nortje
    • 4 Eben Etzebeth
    • 3 Frans Malherbe
    • 2 Bongi Mbonambi
    • 1 Ox Nche

    Replacements:

    • 16 Malcolm Marx
    • 17 Gerhard Steenekamp
    • 18 Vincent Koch
    • 19 Kwagga Smith
    • 20 Elrigh Louw
    • 21 Jaden Hendrikse
    • 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
    • 23 Lukhanyo Am

    Main Image: Planet Rugby

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