South Africa shook up their struggling squad for this weekend’s Tri-Nations rugby union clash with Australia, dropping veteran halfback Joost van der Westhuizen and making five other changes to the starting line-up.
Springboks coach Rudolf Straeuli announced on Thursday the raft of changes to the side which was battered 52-16 by New Zealand in Pretoria two weeks ago.
Van der Westhuizen was pushed aside to make room for Craig Davidson, while Cats fly-half Andre Pretorius takes over at fullback from Brent Russell.
The uncapped Jorrie Muller will join De Wet Barry in the centre in place of injured Andre Snyman.
Prope Robbie Kempson and lock Selborne Boome will start for the first time in this year’s Tri-Nations series and Cats loose-forward Joe van Niekerk will play his first Test of the year after recovering from injury.
Van Niekerk replaced Wikus van Heerden at the openside breakaway while Kempson comes in for Lawrence Sephaka and Boome takes over Bakkies Botha.
Straeuli said the changes were due to a combination of poor form and the need to give bench players more game time.
”There are players who have paid the price for an unacceptable performance against the All Blacks and there are players who have been rotated in our effort to establish a squad in which all players are capable of starting in any given Test during the World Cup,” Straeuli said.
Straeuli said he was particularly hopeful that Pretorius could spark the team forward at fullback.
”He is a wonderful attacking player and a very good kicker, which gives us more options in the latter department,” he said.
South Africa beat Australia 26-22 in the opening match of the Tri-Nations tournament in Pretoria on July 12.
South Africa team: Andre Pretorius, Stefan Terblanche, Jorrie Muller, De Wet Barry, Ashwin Willemse, Louis Koen, Craig Davidson, Juan Smith, Joe van Niekerk, Corne Krige (capt), Victor Matfield, Selborne Boome, Richard Bands, Danie Coetzee, Robbie Kempson.
Reserves: Dale Santon, Lawrence Sephaka, Bakkies Botha, Wikus van Heerden, Joost van der Westhuizen, Gcobani Bobo, Brent Russell.
Wallaby team named on Wednesday: Chris Latham, Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers, Elton Flatley, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (capt), Toutai Kefu, Phil Waugh, George Smith, Daniel Vickerman, David Giffin, Patricio Noriega, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young.
Reserves: Jeremy Paul, Glenn Panoho, Nathan Sharpe, Owen Finegan, Chris Whitaker, Matt Giteau, Matthew Burke. – Sapa-AFP