Springboks vs Romania: Jacques Nienaber names new captain

Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber has named a new captain for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup Pool B match against Romania in Bordeaux.

ALSO READ | Open letter to Springboks’ biggest online troll: Just explain why!

World Rankings: Springboks still a whisker away from No 1!

Nienaber made 14 changes to the starting XV that beat Scotland 18-3 last weekend with Damian Willemse the only survivor.

Willemse will, for this particular encounter, switch from fullback to fly half. The DHL Stormers has 34 caps with 41 points under his belt.

ALSO READ | Springboks’ Jesse Kriel escapes without citing: Here’s why!

Mbongeni ‘Bongi’ Mbonambi, who came on as a substitute in the previous game, has been named the Springboks captain for this encounter.

This is because Siya Kolisi isn’t part of the Springboks XV. In fact, he’s not even part of Nienaber’s matchday squad.

UPDATE: Etzebeth in doubt for blockbuster Ireland battle

Revealed: Why Springboks are using ‘traffic lights’ system

SPRINGBOKS TEAM TO FACE ROMANIA IN BORDEAUX:

15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 88 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 6 caps, 0 points
13 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 8 caps, 20 pts (4t)
12 – Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins) – 14 caps, 0 pts
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 39 caps, 115 pts (23t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 34 caps, 41 pts (3t, 4c, 4pg, 2dg)
9 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 27 caps, 45 pts (9t)

8 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 71 caps, 15 pts (3t)
7 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 34 caps, 30 pts (6t)
6 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 15 caps, 0 points
5 – Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers) – 14 caps, 0 pts
4 – Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 4 caps, 0 pts (Ireland 5 caps)
3 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 46 caps, 0 pts
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 63 caps, 65 points (13t)
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 22 caps, 0 points

Replacements:
16 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 7 caps, 0 pts
17 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 77 caps, 10 points (2t)
18 – Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92) – 63 caps, 5 points (1t)
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 29 caps, 5 points (1t)
20 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 24 caps, 5 points (1t)
21 – Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 13 caps, 12 pts (2t, 1c)
22 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 50 caps, 46 points (5t, 3c, 5pg)
23 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 63 caps, 70 points (14t)