Boks drop Feinberg-Mngomezulu to bench for All Blacks rematch

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has paid the price for an indifferent showing in South Africa's defeat by New Zealand, with the fly-half dropping to the bench for Saturday's rematch in Cape Town.

The All Blacks, revitalised under new coach Dave Rennie, ran out 33-16 winners in the series opener in Johannesburg.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu was turned over five times in possession and occasionally exposed in defence, before he shifted to full-back for the Springboks in the second half of Saturday's first Test.

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled 32-year-old double Rugby World Cup winner Handre Pollard at 10, while injuries to Cheslin Kolbe and Grant Williams have brought Ethan Hooker and Cobus Reinach into the starting line-up at wing and scrum-half respectively.

Siya Kolisi may return to the back row after recovering from a hamstring injury, but Erasmus has also named Paul de Villiers as a back-up at blindside flanker in case Kolisi is not ready.

Thirty-nine year-old Deon Fourie, who came off the bench to play 77 minutes of the Springboks' 2023 Rugby World Cup final win over New Zealand, could win his first cap since that occasion after being named among the replacements.

"There were a handful of positives and negatives last week, but the main thing that let us down was that we created so many chances, but mistakes at crucial times cost us," said Erasmus.

"We'll put in a lot of work this week to ensure that we are sharp in that regard this weekend because if we had used even some of those chances, the result could have been completely different."

South Africa side to face New Zealand: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Hooker; Pollard, Reinach; Nche, Marx, Louw, Etzebeth, Nortje, Kolisi/De Villiers, PS du Toit, Wiese.

Replacements: Fourie, Steenekamp, T du Toit, De Jager, Esterhuizen, Hanekom, Van den Berg, Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

'I'm ready' - Mo'unga fired up for All Blacks return

New Zealand may be tempted to give Richie Mo'unga an immediate Test return as they chase a 2-0 lead in the four-match series that has been marketed as 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.

The 32-year-old was first-choice stand-off during their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, but he has been ineligible for selection while playing his club rugby in Japan since.

However, his signing for Canterbury and the Crusaders, along with an injury to Billy Proctor, has paved the way for his comeback.

Mo'unga will start at 10 in Tuesday's match against Johannesburg-based provincial side the Lions.

Mo'unga, who says his determination to return to Tests was fuelled by watching a Six Nations match while in a Japanese karaoke bar last year, is confident he can produce the form that earned him a spot in World Rugby's team of 2023.

"I'm competitive; I want to be the best," he said. "I know that there's a process to that, and at this point in time, the process looks a bit different around preparing someone else [All Blacks' current first-choice fly-half Ruben Love] to be the best.

"I'm really competitive, but I'm also a team man. Whoever gets the role, gets the role, and if it's not me, I'll do anything I can to help them succeed.

"This game was always coming for me. There was always going to be a return. I wasn't sure when it was, but mentally I've prepared for my return in the black jersey, and I'm ready."

New Zealand side to face Lions: B Barrett; Fineanganofo, Ioane, Tavatavanawai, Narawa; Mo'unga, Hotham; Lauaki, Taukei'aho, Tosi, Darry, Tuipulotu, Sititi, Blackadder, Ta'eiloa.

Replacements: Slater, Tu'ungafasi, Ma'u, Hannah, Lakai, Preston, Jacomb, Lienert-Brown.

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