Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
13 March, 2026, 1:27 am
Central - 24°C Rain
13 March, 2026, 1:27 am Central - 24°C Rain

Faf de Klerk to play 50th test against Scotland

Faf de Klerk to play 50th test against Scotland

By Alipate Narawa
07/09/2023
Photo: therugbypaper.com

Springboks scrum-half Faf de Klerk will make a 50th appearance for South Africa when the World Cup holders begin their defence against Scotland on Monday.

Naming his side two days early, head coach Jacques Nienaber retains 11 of the players who started the 35-7 win over New Zealand at Twickenham.

Jasper Wiese comes in at number eight and winger Cheslin Kolbe returns on the left.

Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel form the centre partnership.

De Allende, De Klerk, flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, lock Eben Etzebeth, prop Frans Malherbe and captain Siya Kolisi were in the XV from the 2019 final victory, while Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff and Franco Mostert all came off the bench that day against England.

Long-time first choice full-back Willie le Roux, Duane Vermeulen and RG Snyman are World Cup winners among the replacements this time, with a 6-2 split between forwards and backs.

Nienaber says they are pleased with the squad depth we have built in the last few months, and they believe this group of players strikes the right balance to achieve the result they need against Scotland.

He says they have been building for this World Cup for the last four years and they are thrilled to get their campaign started.

South Africa are aiming for an eight successive win against Scotland and have lost just once in the past 15 meetings between the nations.

South Africa will play Scotland at 3.45am Monday.

South Africa: D Willemse, K Arendse, J Kriel, D de Allende, C Kolbe; M Libbok, F de Klerk; S Kitshoff, M Marx, F Malherbe, E Etzebeth, F Mostert, S Kolisi (capt), P du Toit, J Wiese.

Replacements: B Mbonambi, O Nche, T Nyakane, R Snyman, M van Staden, D Vermeulen, G Williams, W le Roux.

Source: BBC


DateTimeTeamTeam

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
East Wing lift at CWM Hospital repaired; Lancaster and Children’s ward lifts expected by month-end
There is some relief as the essential lift in the East Wing of the CWM Hospital which is used to take patients to the operating theatres, the Intensi...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
East Wing lift at CWM Hospital repaired; Lancaster and Children’s ward lifts expected by month-end
There is some relief as the essential lift in the East Wing of the CWM Hospital which is used to take patients to the operating theatres, the ...
4 hours ago

I do not need to meet former FNU Council Chair Semesa Karavaki - Rabuka
I do not need to meet with former FNU Council Chair Semesa Karavaki because everything has moved on from where we were when he wanted to meet.This ...
8 hours ago

Govt targets 50% reduction in travel time on major corridors - Tuinaceva
Traffic conditions are expected to improve along the Suva–Nausori, Lami–Suva and Nadi–Lautoka corridor, with plans underway to reduce travel ...
8 hours ago

Decision to appeal Malimali ruling was mine - Rabuka
Prime Minister says he as "Sitiveni Rabuka" decided to appeal the ruling by High Court Judge Dane Tuiqereqere that found the dismissal of Barbara ...
9 hours ago

Fiji could soon have 9,000 people living with HIV - Ravunawa
Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa revealed that Fiji is currently facing a HIV pandemic, and if current trends continue, projections ...
10 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Sports Council Saga: Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
7 days ago

National Talanoa Session on Illicit Drugs in Fiji: 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025
The illicit drug situation in Fiji has been described as a national emergency, with 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025. Minister for Policing ...
14 days ago

Charlie Charters held at Nadi Airport because of a FICAC flag on his file
Fijian national, Charlie Charters is being held at immigration at Nadi International Airport because of a FICAC flag on his file.fijivillage News has ...
14 days ago

TOP