Winners & Losers : Springbok squad to face Wales

The Springboks take on Wales at Twickenham in their first international since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in France in October last year as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting matchday 23 that will be captained by flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and features four uncapped players.

Ahead of the clash, we look at some of the winners and losers.

Winners

1-Jordan Hendrikse (flyhalf, Lions). The 22 year old got the nod ahead of Manie Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Siya Masuku.

2-Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Utility back, Stormers). The 22 year old Stormers utility back was a standout player for the Stormers in the 2023/24 URC.

3.Aphelele Fassi (Fullback, Sharks). Fassi will win his 4th cap this weekend. While Willie Le Roux is still in the Bullls camp, Fassi will look to use this game to cement his place in the team.

4.Ntuthuko Mchunu (Prop, Sharks).Mchunu will win his 2nd cap in the Green and Gold and has been in excellent form for the Sharks.

5.Vincent Koch (Prop, Sharks). Koch will win his 50th cap this weekend. 11 Starts and 38 off the bench

6.Malcolm Marx (Hooker, Kubota Spears). Marx is back after sustaining an injury in training after the RWC2023 pool match against Scotland. Malx will be crucial for the Springboks

Losers

1. Neethling Fouche (Prop, Stormers). After having an excellent season for the Stormers, Fouche would be dissapointed not to be in the 23 but he will be part of the travelling squad to the UK.

2. Siya Masuku (Flyhalf, Sharks).Masuku was a general for the Sharks in the URC and Challenge Cup and a lot of South African supporters feels he is ready to play for the Springboks.

3. Grant Williams (Scrumhalf, Sharks). Williams will come off the bench on Saturday while Faf de Klerk starts. Like Masuku, Williams was a standout player for the Sharks.