The British and Irish Lions have made three changes to their starting XV for the second Test against New Zealand, with a surprise selection in Owen Farrell.
The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team that represents England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They are the joint-oldest international sporting team in the world. Warren Gatland makes three changes for the second Lions Test against New Zealand.
On Saturday, Mako Vunipola will start against South Africa.
As the British and Irish Lions seek to seal off the series against South Africa in the second Test on Saturday, head coach Warren Gatland has made three changes to his starting XV.
Prop In Cape Town, Mako Vunipola replaces Rory Sutherland, while Conor Murray replaces Ali Price at scrum-half and Chris Harris starts at center in place of Elliot Daly.
After missing out on selection for the first Test, number eight Taulupe Faletau is on the bench, while Liam Williams and Hamish Watson are dropped from the 23-man squad.
The Lions fought back from a 12-3 deficit at halftime to win the first game of the series 22-17.
“As usual, choosing was very difficult,” Gatland remarked.
“However, we’ve made the adjustments we believe are necessary for the game this weekend.”
Dan Biggar, who scored 14 points last weekend, has been selected to start at fly-half if he passes both the concussion return-to-play procedures and an independent concussion consultant’s evaluation.
“We know the Springboks are suffering and will put everything at us on Saturday,” Gatland said, “but I believe there’s plenty more to come from us as well.”
“We believe we can improve from where we were in the first Test, and I expect us to do so.”
“It’s the most important game on the tour, and we have to accept the pressure that comes with it.” These are the games you want to be a part of as players and coaches.
“We’re looking forward to facing the Springboks again on Saturday and possibly clinching the series.”
This weekend, Steven Kitshoff will earn his 50th cap.
Three changes have also been made to South Africa’s starting XV.
Props that won the World Cup Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe start, with Leicester’s Jasper Wiese taking over at number eight from Kwagga Smith.
Ox Nche, who shone in the first Test, is forced to withdraw due to a neck issue.
The Springboks’ bench has reverted to a 6/2 split, with Saracens prop Vincent Koch among the six forwards on the bench.
“This is a huge game for us; it’s do or die to remain in the race for the series,” Nienaber said. “We chose a squad that provides consistency in selection, but also one we felt would be most equipped to accomplish the goals we’ve set for this match.”
The match is the second of a three-Test series that will be held in Cape Town, with all three games being held there to minimize travel and the possibility of a Covid breakout in either camp.
Covid worries dominated the build-up to the series, with many Springbok players and staff testing positive in the weeks preceding up to the first Test.
Furthermore, a Lions staff member returned a positive test, forcing fullback Stuart Hogg to isolate as a close contact and missing a few warm-up games as a consequence.
With both teams now Covid-free and nearly at full strength, the scene is set for another epic clash in the Mother City, as the Lions attempt to repeat their 1974 and 1997 heroics by winning a Test series in South Africa.
Hogg; A Watson, Harris, Henshaw, Van der Merwe; Biggar, Murray; Vunipola, Cowan-Dickie, Furlong, Itoje, AW Jones, Lawes, Curry, Conan; Vunipola, Cowan-Dickie, Furlong, Itoje, AW Jones, Lawes, Curry, Conan; Vunipola, Cowan-Dickie, Furlong, Itoje, AW Jones, Law
Owens, Sutherland, Sinckler, Beirne, Faletau, Price, Farrell, Daly are the replacements.
South Africa: Le Roux; Kolbe, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi, Du Toit, Wiese; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi, Du Toit, Wiese
Marx, Nyakane, Koch, De Jager, Van Staden, Smith, H Jantjies, and Willemse are the replacements.
The british airways contact is a rugby union team that represents England, Scotland, and Wales. They are one of the top teams in the world and have won three tours to New Zealand since 1903.
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