Split with Ruan Nortje and Franco Mostert.
Bulls captain Ruan Nortje is set to retain his spot in the Springboks starting XV for their clash against Scotland in the Autumn Nations Series.
That is the word from Rapport who have reported that the second-row will get the nod for the Springboks ahead of Franco Mostert, who has made his return from an injury that he sustained against Ireland in the mid-year window.
Since Mostert’s injury, Nortje has taken over the number five shirt with aplomb. It was not perfect to begin with as the second-row did make errors against Australia but bounced back in a massive way, producing blockbuster outings for the remainder of the Rugby Championship.
Where are they now? The 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks
Double World Cup winner, Mostert, is entering the back end of his career at the age of 33-years-old and it certainly feels as though a natural succession for the number five jersey is starting to take place. No doubt Mostert will be eager to add to his experience with one eye on the next showpiece in 2027.
As pointed out in the same report there could be a rare start for in-form Bath man Thomas du Toit who attended Friday’s press conference, which is typically an indication of involvement in the matchday squad.
In fairness, Du Toit has been incredibly unlucky not to have featured more in recent times after taking the Premiership by storm since joining Johann van Graan’s side. He has been sitting behind Frans Malherbe and Vincent Koch in the pecking order but with the former out due to injury it opens the door for his inclusion. Wilco Louw has been called up as the third tighthead.
South Africa begin their Autumn Nations Series campaign against Scotland before facing England and then Wales to round out a year that has only seen them losing to Ireland and Argentina.
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