Newport’s Percy Montgomery has been included in the Springbok starting line-up for Saturday’s second Test against Ireland at Newlands in Cape Town.
Montgomery will make a much-anticipated return to his former stomping ground at Newlands, where he represented both Western Province, the Stormers and South Africa with distinction over the past few years.
He replaces the erratic Gaffie du Toit at fullback, whose poor goal-kicking effectively cost him his place despite a thunderous display of touch kicking at Vodacom Park.
Also called up is the Lions’ Jacque Fourie in the number 11 jersey, replacing Henno Mentz, who failed to stamp his authority during the first Test victory in Bloemfontein last weekend.
The two men are the only changes to the team that surprised with the emphatic 31-17 win in the first Test and coach Jake White seems to have gone with experience out wide to ensure what would be an awesome series victory.
”They [Montgomery and Fourie] were first choices anyway and I think Ireland will kick a lot so we have gone with three fullbacks in the back three,” White said at the team hotel on Tuesday.
”That said, it’s always difficult to leave guys out after a win.
But I have explained to them that I needed to pick the best available side. They have accepted that.”
Du Toit reverts to the bench as cover for the flyhalf berth primarily, while the Sharks’ Mentz drops out of the squad completely.
The Springbok team for the second Test against Ireland will be Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, Wayne Julies, Jacque Fourie, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Fourie du Preez; Jacques Cronje, Pedrie Wannenburg, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Eddie Andrews, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.
On the bench will be Hanyani Shimange, CJ van der Linde, Quinton Davids, Gerrie Britz, Bolla Conradie, Gaffie du Toit, Brent Russell; with Jake White as coach and Arthob Peterson as manager. — Sapa