JULIAN LINDEN, Brisbane | Friday 9.45am.
ON the eve of Saturday’s crucial Tri-Nation’s clash with Australia, the Springboks suffered another injury setback when eighthman Andre Vos was ruled out with two fractured ribs.
South Western Districts No 8 Anton Leonard, who flew in this week as cover, takes over from Vos, himself filling in for the injured Gary Teichmann.
Vos, bruised his ribs as a replacement for Corne Krige in the 28-0 drubbing by New Zealand. The bruising was expected to subside but Vos went for X-rays on Thursday when the discomfort continued and the fractures were discovered.
Leonard had a strong showing for the Stormers in the Super 12, deputising as captain on one occassion. Stormers hooker Charl Marais takes his spot on the bench.
9.20am:
AUSTRALIA are firm favourites to win Saturday’s Tri-Nations Test against South Africa but are taking nothing for granted against the world champions who have beaten them in their last three clashes.
Australia have won nine Tests in a row while the Springboks are under pressure after losing their last two including a record 28-0 defeat by New Zealand in last weekend’s opening match of the Tri-Nations.
But Australia’s players are unconvinced by the form book.
“People are expecting us to beat them by as many points as the All Blacks but we’ll be very happy if we win by just one point,” veteran Wallaby back Tim Horan said.
“They ran into a pretty good All Blacks team and they definitely weren’t 28 points behind them.
“It will be a lot tougher this weekend because they’ve probably picked the best side against us and they’re a lot stronger all over since the changes.”
South Africa, who won the Tri-Nations for the first time last year when they beat Australia 29-15 in the deciding match at Johannesburg, have reacted swiftly to last weekend’s heavy defeat.
With a mounting injury list and concern over the form of some of his players, Springbok coach Nick Mallett made seven changes to the side that lost to the All Blacks.
But the Springboks are also waiting on the fitness of inside centre Japie Mulder and have bracketed both Pieter Muller and Deon Kayser as replacements in case.
Despite their problems, the South African players say they have learnt from their recent defeats and are still looking at the big picture.
“We had a bad game against Wales and maybe we looked at ourselves and thought we weren’t invincible,” lock Krynauw Otto said.
“Now we have to refocus and playing the All Blacks isn’t the easiest game to get your act together. We’ll be ready come the World Cup.” — Reuters
Teams:
South Africa: Percy Montgomery; Breyton Paulse, Robbie Fleck, Japie Mulder (Pieter Muller or Deon Kayser), Stefan Terblanche; Braam Van Straaten, Werner Swanepoel; Anton Leonard, Andre Venter, Johan Erasmus (captain), Krynauw Otto, Selborne Boome, Cobus Visagie, Naka Drotske, Os Du Randt.
Australia: Matthew Burke; Ben Tune, Daniel Herbert, Nathan Grey, Joe Roff; Tim Horan, George Gregan; Toutai Kefu, David Wilson (captain), Matt Cockbain, John Welborn, David Giffin, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul, Dan Crowley.
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