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Springboks make five changes for third Test with Eddie Jones' England

By Michael Cantillon

Thursday 21 June 2018 14:36, UK

during the rugby union international match between Wales and South Africa at the Principality Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Cardiff, Wales.
Image: Full-back Warrick Gelant is one of five players to come in for the Springboks

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has made five changes to the South Africa team to face England in Cape Town on Saturday for their third Test.

The Boks, who secured the series a week early courtesy of a 23-12 victory in Bloemfontein last week, have drafted in hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle, out-half Elton Jantjies, centres Andre Esterhuizen and Jesse Kriel, and full-back Warrick Gelant.

Bongi Mbonambi, who started both of the first Tests at hooker, and Akker van der Merwe, who provided cover for both Tests, have been omitted, with former Saracens hooker Schalk Brits brought out of retirement and onto the replacements' bench.

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Out-half Handre Pollard drops to the bench too, while centres Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am come out of the squad altogether.

Experienced full-back Willie le Roux is another to drop to the bench to accommodate 23-year-old Gelant.

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Elsewhere, South Africa remain the same, with the introduction of Ralepelle the only change to the forward pack and flanker Siya Kolisi skippering the side once again.

"No one is out of the team because of a lack of form, the changes are due to our long-term planning for next year's Rugby World Cup as we continue to build squad depth and capacity," Erasmus said.

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Rassie Erasmus during the first Test match between South Africa and England at Elllis Park on June 9, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Image: Rassie Erasmus is keen to end the series on a high

"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.

"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."

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South Africa: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 S'busiso Nkosi, 13 Jessie Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 RG Snyman, 5 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux.

Tune into Sky Sports Action and Main Event from 3pm on Saturday for England's third Test with South Africa from Newlands in Cape Town.

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