Injury muzzles Marx but it’s same old for Coetzee’s Boks

Allister Coetzee’s only changes to the Springboks starting XV have been enforced through injury to Malcolm Marx and the unavailability of Siya Kolisi, who returned home for the birth of his second child.

Both are expected to play Wales in the season’s final game in Cardiff next weekend.

Bongi Mbonambi starts in place of Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit replaces Kolisi.

Uncapped Bulls utility back Warrick Gelant replaces Damian de Allende in the match 23.

For now, Coetzee has stuck with the team that edged out France 18-17. Four of this match 23 (Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Franco Mostert and Elton Jantjies) won’t be available to play Wales because the match falls outside the international window. Vermeulen returns to club duty in France, Louw goes back to Bath in England and Jantjies and Mostert head to Japan.

Coetzee’s Boks have won just 10 of 23 Tests in the last two years and last year lost 20-18 to Italy in Florence. The Italians, since that victory, have only one the one Test against Fiji in the 11 they have played.

The Springboks match 23 (v Italy)

15. Andries Coetzee, Emirates Lions – 11 caps, 0 points
14. Dillyn Leyds, DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 5 points (1 try)
13. Jesse Kriel, Vodacom Bulls – 27 caps, 35 points (7 tries)
12. Francois Venter, Toyota Cheetahs – 5 caps, 0 points
11. Courtnall Skosan, Emirates Lions – 11 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
10. Handré Pollard, Vodacom Bulls – 24 caps, 198 points (2 tries, 31 con, 39 penalties, 3 drops goals)
9. Ross Cronje, Emirates Lions – 8 caps, 10 points (1 tries)
8. Duane Vermeulen, Toulon (France) – 38 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, DHL Stormers – 30 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
6. Francois Louw, Bath (England) – 56 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
5. Lood de Jager, Vodacom Bulls – 34 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
4. Eben Etzebeth (captain), DHL Stormers – 65 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
3. Wilco Louw, DHL Stormers – 3 caps, 0 points
2. Bongi Mbonambi, DHL Stormers – 12 caps, 0 points
1. Tendai Mtawarira, Cell C Sharks – 97 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Replacements:
16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, Cell C Sharks – 22 caps, 0 points
17. Steven Kitshoff, DHL Stormers – 21 caps, 0 points
18. Trevor Nyakane, Vodacom Bulls – 35 caps, 5 points (1 try)
19. Franco Mostert, Emirates Lions/Ricoh Black Rams (Japan) – 17 caps, 0 points
20. Dan du Preez, Cell C Sharks – 1 cap, 0 points
21. Rudy Paige, Vodacom Bulls – 12 caps, 5 points (1 try)
22. Elton Jantjies, Emirates Lions/NTT Shining Arcs (Japan) – 21 caps, 201 points (2 tries, 37 conversions, 39 penalties)
23. Warrick Gelant, Vodacom Bulls – 0 caps, 0 points