Louw set to return as Bok number eight

The Allende bashers will be incensed by Allende being recalled. Clearly Allrende is Rassie's first choice so how bad can he bve these. The reserves not given? Louw could be too slow on a fast highveldt pitch. Du Preez should be playing. Louw will be soli d close in but Boks need Whiteley type cover further out!

Cape Town - Francois Louw looks likely to start at No 8 for the Springboks against the All Blacks in Pretoria on Saturday.

According to a report on Netwerk24, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus is set to make three changes to his starting XV from the one which beat Australia 23-12 in Port Elizabeth last weekend.

Louw is set to replace Sikhumbuzo Notshe in the No 8 jersey, while the other changes could see Steven Kitshoff return at loosehead prop in place of Tendai Mtawarira and fit-again Damian de Allende coming in for Andre Esterhuizen at inside centre.

Notshe filled in for the injured Warren Whiteley last weekend, but looks set for a bench role - at best - at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.

Louw, who was recalled to the Bok squad earlier this week, played at No 8 when he replaced Whiteley in the second half of the 23-18 loss to Australia in Brisbane last month.

He also started at No 8 in Tests last year against Ireland in Dublin and New Zealand in Cape Town.

Erasmus will confirm his match-day 23 at 13:30 on Thursday.

Teams:

South Africa (probable)

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Francois Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: TBA

New Zealand

15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Karl Tu'inukuafe

Substitutes: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Richie Mo'unga, 23 Ryan Crotty

Rassie was out coached by Ledesma in the second test, and made a mess of the Brisbane test. He is at risk of undoing what good has been accomplished. We are likely going to be making twice as many tackles as the All Blacks, so why Damian? He wasn't very good against England. Wasn't very good against Australia. Wasn't very good against New Zealand. So, why? How many blown tackles does he need to make? How long can you get away with other defenders shadowing him to lend stopping power to tackles? 

Louw has played 8 before. He switched to 8 against the Pumas in the second half. So, it isn't a new thing. I don't know how it'll workout in this game. He will undoubtedly be better than Notshe, but we will miss Whiteley.

As far as the centre selections have been, I'm not impressed with Rassie. He has obviously reviewed the games, and that leaves me wondering what he is taking away from these games. Damian gives you no advantage over the opposition. Certainly, he doesn't better André in any area of the game. Just because a coach selects someone, it doesn't mean they are correct. Damian has a long history of failure and mediocrity. If he could defend, he'd be a natural 13. He is no inside centre. His best work is always in space. 

I would much rather have Augustus of WP as No8 as Louw.   Why they still bother with Louw is questionable.  The man will not reach the WC as an acceptable player and Augustus is the present and future better no 8.