Kwagga Smith has retained his place in the Springboks starting XV, in what might be Rassie Erasmus’s boldest selection change-up in the upcoming test versus Ireland.
Despite giving away a few unnecessary penalties, Kwagga was never far from the action in South Africa’s 41–13 win against Wales.
His shining moment came from a viscous Springbok maul that resulted in a penalty try.
He remained a nuisance for the Welshmen throughout his 80 minutes on the field, with his contributions at breakdowns instrumental to the Boks’ defence.
But, with Captain Siya Kolisi returning from injury, Kwagga has been moved from flank to the role of eighthman.
This means that 24-year-old Western Province star Evan Roos drops out of the starting line-up and squad.
Of the 23 players selected, 20 were a part of the team that tasted victory in last year’s Rugby World Cup Final, with the entire starting 15 having played a part in helping South Africa overcome the All Blacks in Saint-Denis.
Fan favourites such as Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Handré Pollard also made their way back into the squad.
This weekend’s test will see the Rainbow Nation face the world’s second-highest-ranked team, fortunately, we’re ranked first.
You can find SA’s full squad below:
South Africa’s starting line-up:
15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls)
10 – Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles)
8 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Substitutes:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls)
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
19 – Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers)
20 – RG Snyman (Leinster)
21 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls)
22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
23 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers).
