REVEALED: Why Springboks announced team earlier than usual

Springboks boss Jacques Nienaber has revealed the multitude of reasons behind his decision to name the team for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup showdown against Scotland.

ALSO READ | Springboks v Scotland: What time is kick off on Sunday?

There were quite a few surprises in the Springbok team which was revealed on Wednesday night, most notably with Damian Willemse starting ahead of Willie le Roux at fullback, while Kurt-Lee Arendse cracked the nod on the wing ahead of Canan Moodie, who is carrying a niggle.

Jasper Wiese was preferred to Duane Vermeuelen at No 8, while Franco Mostert will start at No 5, with RG Snyman on the bench.

Changes in the backline see Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel unite in a midfield pairing, and Cheslin Kolbe returns as a left wing in place of Makazole Mapimpi.

ALSO READ | Three forwards who could be World Cup game-changers for Springboks

Earlier this week, a Springbok lineup was leaked and widely shared on social media, but it turned out to be fake news.

And on Wednesday afternoon, the Springbok camp sent out a message confirming that they had asked World Rugby for permission to name their squad earlier than the allowed period. The request was granted.

And the reason for this request? Well this is what Nienaber had to say when asked that exact question.

“It stops speculation. The players know anyway so it will probably come out in some sort of way.

“To be transparent with it has always been the way. By getting it out of the way we can just focus on preparing for Scotland.”

LSO READ | Springbok legend preparing for retirement after World Cup

SPRINGBOKS TEAM TO FACE SCOTLAND IN MARSEILLE:

15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 33 caps, 41 points (3t, 4c, 4pg, 2dg)
14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 10 caps, 55 points (11t)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 62 caps, 70 points (14t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 73 caps, 50 points (10t)
11 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 26 caps, 81 points (12t, 3c, 5pg)
10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 9 caps, 65 points (1t, 21c, 6pg)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 49 caps, 44 points (5t, 2c, 5pg)

8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 23 caps, 5 points (1t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 71 caps, 35 points (7t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 77 caps, 50 points (10t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 67 caps, 15 points (3t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 113 caps, 25 points (5t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 63 caps, 5 points (1t)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 63 caps, 85 points (17t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 76 caps, 10 points (2t)

Replacements:
16 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 62 caps, 65 points (13t)
17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 21 caps, 0 points
18 – Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92) – 62 caps, 5 points (1t)
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 28 caps, 5 points (1t)
20 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 14 caps, 0 points
21 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 70 caps, 15 points (3t)
22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 5 caps, 0 points
23 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 87 caps, 65 points (13t)

ALSO READ | Ndlovu Youth Choir to release special Rugby World Cup anthem