Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made almost wholesale changes in the side that will face England in the second match of the Autumn Nations Series at Allianz Stadium on Saturday (19:40).   

Wilco Louw will play his first Test match since 2021 against England in a Springbok starting XV which shows 12 changes to the team which defeated Scotland 32-15 last weekend. 

Only Eben Etzebeth (lock), Ox Nche (prop) and Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) retain their starting jerseys from Sunday’s Test in a 23 which includes a whole new backline and eight personnel changes in total as Bok coach Rassie Erasmus took steps to negotiate a six-day preparation week. 

Makazole Mapimpi, who scored two tries against Scotland last weekend, is not part of the side, which was expected with the return of Kurt-Lee Arendse.  

Canan Moodie, who was on the other wing, is also not part of the side and his place has been taken by Chelsin Kolbe.  

“The turnaround between the Scotland and England Tests is short, so we had to be smart in our selection to enable us to field a fresh squad with only six days between two tough Test matches,” said Erasmus. 

“It obviously has a knock-on in effect in the sense that we’ve made 12 changes to the starting lineup, but we have been rotating our squad all season. 

“Over and above that most of these players know each other really well having played together for the last few seasons, as well as in the Rugby World Cup, the Castle Lager Incoming Series, and the Rugby Championship, so we are pleased with the quality of the team we’ve been able to name.” 

The selection continues the form of the season with Erasmus averaging 8,5 personnel changes per Test in the 11 selections he has made since the opening match against Wales at the same venue in June. 

Meanwhile, Louw returned to the Springbok set-up as a late injury call-up for the tour, after playing the last of his 14 Tests behind closed doors against Argentina in Port Elizabeth three years ago. 

The inclusion of the Vodacom Bulls prop is one of five changes in the pack with RG Snyman (lock) and loose forwards Siyan Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese brought into the starting line-up. 

Behind them is a whole new backline with six players recalled (after sitting out last week), and scrumhalf Grant Williams promoted from the bench. 

Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel (both centres), Aphelele Fassi (fullback) and Manie Libbok (flyhalf), are back after they were rested as part of his rotation system last week. 

However, the squad includes 15 players who battled it out against the hosts in the Rugby World Cup semi-final in France last year. 

In the five-three split in favour of the forwards on the bench, Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf) is also recalled in partnership with Handre Pollard and Lukhanyo Am as backline cover, along with forward regulars Malcolm Marx (hooker), props Gerhard Steenekamp and Vincent Koch, while Elrigh Louw and Kwagga Smith (who earned his 50th Test cap last week), will provide an impact as the replacement loose forwards.