‘Retired’ Brits on bench as Springboks ring changes for final Test

‘Retired’ hooker Schalk Brits is set to make his comeback off the bench against England on Saturday and Rassie Erasmus has made five changes to South Africa’s starting line-up for the final Test.

Brits called time on his illustrious career after Saracens’ Premiership triumph in May, but the 37-year-old is poised to play for the Springboks for the first time since 2015 at Newlands on Saturday.

Warrick Gelant, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Elton Jantjies and Chiliboy Ralepelle come into the side for the clash in Cape Town, where South Africa will go in search of a 3-0 whitewash.

Scrum half Embrose Papier, 21, could earn his second cap off the bench against an England side that has lost five Tests in a row.

“The series might be won but we still have an important Test match on Saturday, against a very determined English side who will be looking to end the series on a high,” Erasmus said.

“I expect a very physical and close-fought game. We are desperate to win and make it 3-0 while England will be desperate to win the game, make it 2-1 and finish their tour on a positive note.”

– Should Schalk Brits feature for South Africa against England he would become the second oldest player to represent the @Springboks after Victor Matfield (38y 172d; Brits would be 37y 38d). Sprightly. pic.twitter.com/Dj7DImxkZz

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) June 21, 2018

South Africa: Warrick Gelant, S’Busiso Nkosi, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk; Tendai Mtawarira, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Frans Malherbe, RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen (captain).

Replacements: Schalk Brits, Steven Kitshoff, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Embrose Papier, Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux.

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