THURSDAY, 8.30AM:
The biggest surprise among the three new faces in the injury-hit Springbok team is the inclusion of the relatively inexperienced Western Province back Percy Montgomery to replace Japie Mulder at centre.
Montgomery’s Province colleague Pieter Rousow comes in on the wing to fill the gap left by James Small’s injury. Northern Transvaal’s Danie van Schalkwyk, who has had four caps against Fiji and the All Blacks, comes in at inside centre to replace Edrich Lubbe.
The Springboks play a second test against the Lions in Durban on Saturday, which they must win to prevent the Lions from walking away with the series. Coach Carel Du Plessis was already facing criticism yesterday for deciding not to change the pack, which took most of the blame for the Lions’ victory. “I know they can perform better, and I expect them to do just that,” he said.
The other controversy was over the continued sidelining of Gauteng’s talented centre Hennie Le Roux, who was expected to return to the team to replace the injured Lubbe. Du Plessis insisted yesterday that Roux had told him he had a groin injury, although he has been playing for Gauteng Lions.
The final team : Andre Joubert, Percival Montgomery, Pieter Roussouw, Andre Snyman, Danie van Schalkwyk, Henry Honiball, Joost van der Westhuizen, Gary Teichmann (captain), Andre Venter, Ruben Kruger, Hannes Strydom, Mark Andrews, Adrian Garvey, Naka Drotske, Os du Randt.