Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has given his team a shake-up ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship test against the All Blacks in Cape Town.

The team shows seven changes, two of them positional, from the side that beat the All Blacks 31-27 at Ellis Park last weekend. A win would have all but secured the world title.

Here are five Bok players who will be in the spotlight on Saturday.

Willie le Roux

Erasmus has openly stated that the role of the experienced defender in the team is now different to what it used to be, with Le Roux now playing an important mentoring role for younger players. However, the 35-year-old has been selected to start his 97th Test with his coaches this weekend, hoping he can bring some composure and experience to the back four.

Le Roux’s ability to read the game and his link-up play in attack should not be underestimated, and he will be determined to make a big impression.

Aphelele Fassi is in great form but has missed 23 games this week, so Le Roux will need to be in good form.

Canan Moodie

It’s always tough to get back into the swing of things after a long injury layoff, but the youngster at least played well for the Bulls and should be up to speed and ready to go.

He burst into Test rugby with a bang two years ago and is expected to bring something special to the team and will be closely watched at Cape Town Stadium, especially as a replacement for Kurt-Lee Arendse, who suffered a concussion and scored a lot of tries.

While Moodie gives the Boks something special on the wings due to his size and speed, he will face a big challenge in keeping Mark Tele in check.

Pollard’s hand

It is almost unthinkable for a player of Pollard’s calibre to play in the Bok position, but that is exactly what has happened following the emergence of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu this season.

Erasmus said this week he wanted an experienced No.10 in such a big game and opted for Pollard, who is renowned for his ability in big Tests… let’s not forget how he led the Boks to three consecutive one-point wins at last year’s World Cup.

The truth is, though, Pollard needs a big test today to make sure he is still fit and can lead the Boks defence.

Grant Williams

The agile link-up has played just 14 Test matches, most of them coming off the bench and some as a winger, but in Cape Town he was given the chance to start against the dangerous All Blacks and show what he is made of.

With Faf de Klerk out injured and losing form earlier this season, and Cobus Reinach on the rise, the Boks will no doubt be looking for new number 9s to help them in the future.

The selection of Morne van den Berg this year and the return of Jaden Hendrikse, who is playing from the bench this weekend, have increased the pressure on Williams.

Lukhanyo Am

The 30-year-old has no intention of retiring from international rugby, but injuries at key points in his career have prevented him from becoming a regular for the Bok and he is once again struggling to regain his place in the starting line-up.

Jesse Kriel is now almost established alongside Damian de Allende in midfield, leaving Amo to play from the bench or not at all. He gets his chance again this weekend and will certainly want to remind rugby viewers and his coaches of his exceptional skills and ability in defence, whether as a 12, 13 or on the wing.

Am is a class player who will be eagerly awaiting the opportunity to come off the bench on Saturday.