Heyneke entrusts Fourie with captain’s armband

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has put to rest endless speculation about who will take over the captaincy after Jean de Villiers was sent home following a jaw injury.

Fourie du Preez will become the 56th Test captain to lead the Bokke when they clash against Scotland in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup at St James’ Park in Newcastle this weekend.

Victor Matfield, the vice-captain of the team has been ruled out for the match due to injury and Schalk Burger will take his place.

Meyer has made only three changes to the starting line-up, with two being forced by injury.

Lood de Jager will replace Matfield as lock while Jessie Kriel and Damian de Allende will form a partnership in midfield. At hooker, Bismark du Plessis will return in the place of Adriaan Strauss.

Pieter-Steph du Toit, Willem Alberts and Jan Serfontein will make their first appearances on the bench.

Team:

15-Willie le Roux, 14-JP Pietersen, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Fourie du Preez (captain), 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger (vice-captain), 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jan Serfontein

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