South Africa fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been dropped by Rassie Erasmus following the Springboks' defeat to New Zealand on the weekend.
Erasmus has reverted to naming his team early in the week, having left it late ahead of the first Test against the All Blacks. In doing so, the World Cup-winning coach has shown a ruthless side for the second Test in Cape Town.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu drops to the bench after being turned over five times and occasionally exposed in defence in the 33-16 loss to Dave Rennie's side. Double World Cup winner Handre Pollard is handed a recall.
Erasmus names 16 in starting side
With Cheslin Kolbe and Grant Williams injured, Ethan Hooker and Cobus Reinach start on the wing and at scrum-half. Siya Kolisi has been named in the back-row after recovering from a hamstring injury, but Erasmus has taken the unusual step of also naming Paul de Villiers in case his World Cup-winning captain is not ready. As such, there are 16 players named in the starting side.
On the bench, 39-year-old Deon Fourie could win his first cap since the 2023 World Cup final victory over New Zealand after being named on the bench.
"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."
Cardiff inducts 16 into hall of fame
Cardiff inducted 16 players into their hall of fame as the club celebrated its 150th anniversary at a gala dinner last week. Ahead of the Blue and Blacks' sesquicentennial season, more than 450 people gathered at the Arms Park on Friday night for a special dinner. Cardiff Rugby's and Cardiff RFC's first teams, academy and staff were joined by a host of sponsors, supporters and former players - with the likes of Terry Holmes, Adrian Hadley, Mark Ring and Leigh Halfpenny all present.
All living players who had made more than 150 first team appearances for the club were honoured on the evening, while there were 16 inductees added to Cardiff RFC Hall of Fame. One player from each decade of Cardiff's existence was chosen by a special selection committee. Seven of the 16 were present on the night, collecting their awards from Cardiff Rugby president Sir Gareth Edwards and Cardiff Athletic Club president Mervyn John.
WD Phillips was the first induction, representing the 1870s - with the five-cap Wales international fondly known as the 'father of the club'. Phillips was a leading figure of the Cardiff Wanderers, the side that merged with Glamorgan FC to form Cardiff Football Club in 1876. He would make 109 appearances for Cardiff across nine seasons, before serving on the Cardiff committee for 42 years until his death.
Decade-by-decade inductees
Frank Hancock, best known as being the sport's first fourth three-quarter player and changing the formation of rugby union that remains to the present day, was the inductee for the 1880s. The 'Prince of Dodgers', outside-half Percy Bush, represented the 1890s - having been one of Cardiff's greatest early stars. Across 171 appearances, he captained Cardiff to victories over South Africa and Australia, as well as an unbeaten season in 1905/06.
Johnny Williams, who scored in the wins over South Africa and Australia, was the choice for the 1900s - having crossed for 150 tries in 199 appearances. That record stood for 40 years, with Williams - whose life was tragically cut short during the First World War - inducted into World Rugby's Hall of Fame in 2015.
The inductee for the 1910s - Tom 'Codger' Johnson - scored an extraordinary 189 tries in 187 appearances for the club, while the choice for the 1920s - Tommy Stone - was one of the club's most popular and loyal players, making a staggering 317 appearances.
Wilfred Wooller was the 1930s inductee, with the all-round sportsman being a remarkable draw for the club - given he was part of the Wales team that beat the All Blacks in 1935 and also played cricket at a high level. Sid Judd, the Cardiff-born back-row who sadly died from leukaemia at the age of 30 in 1959, was chosen to represent the 1940s. He would make 184 appearances before going on to score one of the two tries in Wales' last win over the All Blacks in 1953.
Hooker Geoff Beckingham represented the 1950s, having played a crucial part in Cardiff's win over New Zealand in 1953. Second-row Lyn Baxter, who played 290 times for Cardiff between 1962 and 1974, was the inductee for the 1960s.
Dependable No. 8 Roger Lane, who played 299 times for the Blue and Blacks in an 11-year career at the Arms Park, was the 1970s choice, while Bob Lake - who was man of the match in the 1981 Schweppes Cup final win over Bridgend - was the following decade's inductee. Dai Young - the only man to tour with the British and Irish Lions across three different decades - was the 1990s choice. Young played 139 times, before coaching Cardiff in two separate spells. In the 21st century, modern Cardiff greats Martyn Williams, Taufa'ao Filise and Lloyd Williams represented the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s respectively.
Mo'unga closing in on Test return
Richie Mo'unga is closing in on a Test return after being named in New Zealand's side to face the Lions on Tuesday. Dave Rennie could be tempted to bring the 32-year-old into his side, depending how Mo'unga - who was first-choice fly-half for New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup - goes against the Johannesburg-based club.
Mo'unga has been off-limits due to playing his rugby in Japan, but a return to New Zealand - as well as an injury to Billy Proctor - has opened the door for the playmaker.
"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 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."
