Hougaard at scrum-half for Springboks

Hougaard: First World Cup start

The Springboks have made five changes to their starting line-up for Thursday’s World Cup Pool D match against Southern African neighbours Namibia at North Harbour Stadium.

Wing Gio Aplon, scrum-half Francois Hougaard, utility forward Willem Alberts and tighthead prop CJ van der Linde are all given their first starts of the tournament while Bryan Habana has been recalled from injury to resume in the number eleven jersey.

Four players were unavailable for selection due to injury, while Springbok coach Peter de Villiers opted to bring in fresh legs in the hope of sustaining the team’s momentum.

Locks Victor Matfield and Johann Muller, centre Jean de Villiers and fly-half Butch James were not considered for the match.

Scrum-half Fourie du Preez and flanker Heinrich Brüssow both drop to the bench while wings JP Pietersen and Odwa Ndungane and tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis are rested all together.

In one other change on the bench, Chiliboy Ralepelle is included in a match 22 for the first time as he is drafted in for Bismarck du Plessis, who is also rested.

South Africa 15 Pat Lambie, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Willem Alberts, 5 Danie Rossouw, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 François Louw, 19 Heinrich Brüssow, 20 Fourie du Preez, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Juan de Jongh.

Date: Thurday, September 22
Kick-off:  (20.00 (08.00 GMT)
Venue: North Harbour Stadium, North Shore
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

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