Spotlight on Springbok Players in Upcoming Game Against Tonga
South African Springboks Announce World Cup Pool Game Lineup
The South African Springboks have announced their starting lineup for the upcoming World Cup pool game against Tonga, with several notable changes from their previous matches.
In the backline, Handre Pollard will make his much-anticipated return to the Bok fold, replacing Manie Libbok at fly-half. Pollard, who last played for the Boks in August 2021 due to injury, only just returned for his English club Leicester after spending four-and-a-half months on the sidelines with a calf injury. Coach Jacques Nienaber has warned fans not to expect wonders from Pollard in his comeback game due to his recent injury.
Canan Moodie will continue in the midfield experiment for the Springboks, having looked promising in his last two Tests, against New Zealand and Romania. Moodie brings an x-factor that could give France plenty to think about in the potential quarterfinal clash against hosts France.
In the forwards, Marvin Orie, who is set to join French club Perpignan after the World Cup, may be playing his last game for the Springboks. Orie made his Bok debut in 2018 and has 15 Test caps, and will start in the second row alongside Eben Etzebeth.
Duane Vermeulen will start at blindside flank instead of his usual position of eighthman, with Jasper Wiese taking up the number 8 jersey. The physicality of the game has been emphasized in the Springbok camp, leading to an "unbalanced" back row of Siya Kolisi, Jasper Wiese, and Vermeulen.
Siya Kolisi will be playing in his 50th Test as captain in the match. Fourie's main mission is to be accurate with his throw-ins, and he will play a key role at the breakdown. Deon Fourie, aged 37, will start in his 10th Test as a hooker for the Springboks.
In other changes, Marco van Staden will wear the No. 16 jersey for the first time in the match. The Boks have played 16 Tests since Pollard's last appearance, with Damian Willemse starting half of them at No 10, Manie Libbok in seven, and Frans Steyn in one.
Pollard's goal-kicking form has been an ongoing issue for the Boks, with Libbok and other goal-kickers' erratic form costing them dearly in recent games. The coach will be hoping that Pollard can regain his form and provide the necessary points in the crucial World Cup game against Tonga.
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