Springboks make front-row reshuffle ahead of Wales test

South Africa have made a change to their starting line-up for Saturday’s final autumn international against Wales, with prop Ox Nche replaced by Wilco Louw in a front-row reshuffle.

Nche suffered a nasty cut above the knee during the 29-20 win over England at Twickenham last weekend but was named to start against the Welsh when coach Rassie Erasmus unveiled his team on Tuesday.

It has since been decided that he will be rested, along with Louw coming in as tighthead prop and Thomas du Toit moving across the front row to loosehead.

“Ox has been an important player for us this season and given his high work rate in recent months we have chosen to rest him for this match,” said Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus.

“Wilco started last week’s match and he has trained well this week, so it makes sense to include him in the starting XI and move Thomas to loosehead.”

South Africa also recorded a 32-15 victory over Scotland in the Autumn Series, while opponents Wales, who named their team earlier on Wednesday, are on a record 11-match losing streak.

Updated Springbok team:

15-Aphelele Fassi, 14-Cheslin Kolbe, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10-Jordan Hendrikse, 9-Jaden Hendrikse, 8-Jasper Wiese, 7-Elrigh Louw, 6- Siya Kolisi (captain), 5-Franco Mostert, 4-Jean Kleyn, 3-Wilco Louw, 2-Johan Grobbelaar, 1-Thomas du Toit

Replacements: 16-Malcolm Marx, 17-Gerhard Steenekamp, ​​​​18-Vincent Koch, 19-Eben Etzebeth, 20-RG Snyman, 21-Cameron Hanekom, 22-Cobus Reinach, 23-Handre Pollard.