Leyds to wing it for Springboks

Stormers utility back Dillyn Leyds will replace Raymond Rhule in Saturday’s Springboks Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Bloemfontein.

Leyds has played fullback, wing and flyhalf for the Stormers and most recently was playing fullback for Western Province in the Currie Cup.

Leyds made his Test debut earlier this year but his game time has been minimal.

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee will confirm the match 23 on Thursday but with Rhule sent back to his franchise to play Currie Cup rugby this weekend, the all-round versatility of Leyds will be preferred to a specialist wing selection.

Bath captain and  veteran Springbok Francois Louw (at flank) and fit again Ross Cronje (scrum half) are expected to be the only other changes Coetzee will make to the side who suffered the 57-0 hammering against the All Blacks in Albany, New Zealand.

Leyds has an impressive kicking game and while he lacks the outright pace of Rhule he is a far more composed player, who is equally comfortable at fullback or on the wing.