South Africa starts 2 new caps in warmup for Lions
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) - South Africa will start new caps Rosko Specman and Aphelele Fassi on the wings against Georgia on Friday in the Springboks' first test since winning the Rugby World Cup in November 2019.
Eight survivors of the World Cup final win over England in Japan were also in the starting lineup announced on Tuesday, with another four on the bench.
A third uncapped player, loose forward Jasper Wiese, is among the reserves.
South Africa picked scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies on the bench after he was cleared to play again despite being one of three Springboks to test positive for the coronavirus over the weekend.
The two other players to test positive, prop Vincent Koch and wing Sbu Nkosi, were left out.
South Africa will play two tests against Georgia - this Friday and next Friday - in preparation for the series against the British and Irish Lions starting in late July.
It's the first team Jacques Nienaber has selected since he was appointed coach in January 2020. The Springboks' schedule last year was wiped out by the pandemic, meaning a first taste of test rugby for the world champions in 20 months.
First-choice flyhalf Handre Pollard starts after returning from injury and captain Siya Kolisi leads the team from No. 6. Pieter-Steph du Toit, the 2019 world player of the year, is also back from injury to start on the other flank.
Kwagga Smith is at No. 8 in place of Duane Vermeulen, who is a doubt for the Lions series with an ankle injury.
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South Africa: Willie le Roux, Rosko Specman, Jesse Kriel, Frans Steyn, Aphelele Fassi, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach; Kwagga Smith, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nché. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Marvin Orie, Jasper Wiese, Herschel Jantjies, Elton Jantjies, Damian Willemse.
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