The battle lines are clear — the Springboks have chosen a monstrous pack to take on the All Blacks in the one area the home team believe the world champions might have a small chink — the set-piece. Prop Steven Kitshoff will make his first Test start after 18 appearances from the bench, while Pieter-Steph du Toit will start at blindside flank for the third time in a Test. Lock Lood de Jager returns to the second row as the Boks stuffed their pack with tall, powerful timber. Coach Allister Coetzee’s selections suggest that the plan of playing ball-in-hand from all areas of the field might give way to a more direct attacking approach from the Boks. The Boks’ lineout suffered against the All Blacks three weeks ago when they lost five balls on their own throw on the way to a record 57-0 defeat. But the All Blacks are missing Brodie Retallick for this clash and that might have influenced the Bok thinking. With Eben Etzebeth, Du Toit and De Jager starting, and Franco Mostert and Jean-Luc ...

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.