Three Boks changes for All Blacks Test

South Africa have named Jean-Luc du Preez and Ruan Dreyer to replace injured pair Jaco Kriel and Coenie Oosthuizen for their rugby Test against the All Blacks.

South Africa have made three changes to their starting XV for Saturday's Test against the All Blacks, with Sharks flanker Jean-Luc du Preez chosen to replace injured openside Jaco Kriel.

Kriel, who has played 11 Tests, suffered a shoulder injury in the Springboks' 23-23 draw against the Wallabies in Perth last week.

Elsewhere, Ruan Dreyer replaces the injured Coenie Oosthuizen at tighthead, while Franco Mostert slots in at lock for Pieter-Steph du Toit.

Giant lock Eben Etzebeth skippers the side, while Lions-based duo Elton Jantjies and Ross Cronje will line up in the halves.

Springboks boss Allister Coetzee admitted the loss of Kriel and Oosthuizen was a blow, but backed his side to make up for their absences.

The match would be won and lost at the gain line, he believed.

"I think we've defended well as a team and I suppose players know their roles and responsibilities, (we need) a massive improvement - we'll be tested on Saturday, definitely," Coetzee said on Thursday.

"This week will be a gain line battle, about how quickly you can get off the line and adjust and make good decisions.

"The boys are fit enough to go for 80 minutes. The game has completely changed - we're looking for a 23-man effort."

South Africa have not won a Test on Kiwi soil since 2009.

SOUTH AFRICA: Andries Coetzee, Raymond Rhule, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Uzair Cassiem, Jean-Luc du Preez, Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth (capt), Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Tendai Mtawarira. RES: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Francois Hougaard, Handre Pollard, Damian de Allende.


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Source: AAP



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