Springbok Squad Announcement: Winners and Losers

Rassie Erasmus has named his side to face the All Blacks in Johannesburg and has made some interesting calls in some forced and unforced changes. Here are the winners and losers

Winners:

Ruan Nortje:

Nortje will partner Pieter-Steph du Toit at lock this weekend after Eben Etzebeth had been rules out. Nortje is the second highest line out winner for the Springboks behind Etzebeth but would still have been fighting for the spot with Elrigh Louw who has been performing well at 8 but covers lock too.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu:

SFM has taken the 10 jumper away from double World Cup winner, Handre Pollard. The call is all the more interesting with the exclusion of Willie le Roux at 15 making SFM the only out and out play maker on the field in the run on team.

Aphelele Fassi:

Fassi earned a Springbok re-call following a great season with the under performing Sharks. He has taken this chance with both hands and has stood out in the Green and Gold when called upon this season. The 15 jumper has been owned by le Roux in recent times but the Dale College old boy has edged the 96 test veteran.

Losers:

Nico Janse van Rensburg:

The Montpellier flank/lock would have fancied his chances of earning his second test cap with all the lock injuries but he will have to wait until next week.

Grant Williams:

Grant Williams has been pushing hard for his second test start at scrumhalf but his versatility and speed keep him on the bench as one of the deadliest impact players around.