South Africa show depth as Rassie Erasmus makes 10 changes for Nations Championship clash against Scotland
Springboks ring changes for Scotland visit in Nations Championship; scrum-half Embrose Papier make first appearance for South Africa in eight years while Pieter-Steph du Toit continues to deputise for injured captain Siya Kolisi; Springboks began tournament with 45-21 victory over England
Monday 6 July 2026 15:51, UK
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has honoured his promise of giving game time to as many players as possible by making 10 changes for the Nations Championship clash against Scotland in Pretoria.
Pieter-Steph du Toit, Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel, Ruan Nortje and Paul de Villiers are the only Springboks to retain their places after Saturday's dominant 45-21 victory over England in Johannesburg.
The continued absence of injured skipper Siya Kolisi sees Du Toit retain the captaincy at Loftus Versfeld, where scrum-half Embrose Papier will make his first Springboks appearance in eight years.
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The backline named by Erasmus features a fresh back three of Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe and Canan Moodie, with Kriel partnering Willemse in the centre and Handre Pollard forming a half-back pairing with Bulls team-mate Papier on home soil.
The loss of forwards Kolisi (hamstring) and Eben Etzebeth (concussion) on the morning of the England game, as well as prop Ox Nche and substitute Andre Esterhuizen during it, has given Erasmus the chance to shuffle his Springboks pack.
"We have good depth in our squad, and this will be a great test for the team," he said.
"We told the players from the outset that we would give as many of them a chance as possible to play this season, while we are also trying to manage some players, and others are not available for selection this week.
"So it was important to select a team with some continuity from last week while bringing in players we believe will be the right fit for what we are expecting from Scotland."
South Africa team to play Scotland
Starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zach Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Elrigh Louw, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Quan Horn.
South Africa's Nations Championship fixtures
All times UK and Ireland
- South Africa 45-21 England (Johannesburg)
- vs Scotland (July 11) - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (4.40pm)
- vs Wales (July 18) - Kings Park Stadium, Durban (4.40pm)
