Stormers fullback Gaffie du Toit will don the number 15 jersey when Jake White’s Springbok team meet a Central Unions XV ahead of the international season.
Du Toit’s main rival for the position, Percy Montgomery, was not considered as he is still recovering from a broken hand.
At flyhalf, White has opted for Sharks utility back Brent Russell ahead of Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
Russell, described by some as the most dangerous running back in world rugby, was controversially left out of the World Cup squad that fared so poorly in Australia last year.
White, however, insisted on Monday that the line-up does not necessary reflect the line-up that will start the first Test against Ireland on June 12 in Bloemfontein.
”The purpose of the match is for us to be able to test combinations and to see how the players interact with each other based on the drills that we have been working on,” added White.
”I will be making changes throughout the game so that I can properly assess each player. This will hopefully provide a clearer idea on what the selection could possibly look like for the first Test.” — Sapa
Team: Os du Randt, John Smit (captain), Eddie Andrews, Quinton Davids, Bakkies Botha, Jacques Cronje, Juan Smith, Pedrie Wannenburg, Bolla Conradie, Brent Russell, Henno Mentz, Wayne Julies, Marius Joubert, Ashwin Willemse, Gaffie du Toit
Reserves: Hanyani Shimange, Faan Rautenbach, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, De Wet Barry
Not considered: Percy Montgomery