Springboks make 12 changes for England as Rassie reverts back to traditional 5/3 bench split

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made several changes to his team for Saturday's Test against England at Twickenham.

In all, there are 12 changes to the starting team that beat Scotland 32-15 at Murrayfield last Sunday.

Lock Eben Etzebeth, prop Ox Nche, and hooker Bongi Mbonambi are the only players who have retained their starting jerseys.

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Flanker Siya Kolisi is back in the starting XV and takes the captain's armband from Etzebeth, while tighthead prop Wilco Louw will also play his first Test since 2021.

The inclusion of the Bulls prop is one of five changes in the pack with lock RG Snyman and loose forwards Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese brought into the starting XV.

There's a whole new backline with six players (who sat out last week) recalled and scrumhalf Grant Williams promoted from the bench in place of Jaden Hendrikse.

Returning to the backline are wingers Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, centres Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel, fullback Aphelele Fassi and flyhalf Manie Libbok, who were rested as part of Erasmus' rotation system last week.

Erasmus has reverted to a five-three forwards-backs split on the bench, having gone with a seven-one split last weekend.

The forward reserves are hooker Malcolm Marx, props Gerhard Steenekamp and Vincent Koch, and loose forwards Elrigh Louw and Kwagga Smith. The three backline reserves are scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, flyhalf Handre Pollard, and centre Lukhanyo Am.

"The turnaround between the Scotland and England Tests is short, so we had to be smart in our selection to enable us to field a fresh squad with only six days between two tough Test matches," said Erasmus.

"It