Springbok coach Jake White has made two changes to his starting XV for the one-off Test against Wales at the Loftus stadium in Pretoria on Saturday. Coming into the starting line-up are Brent ”Pocket Rocket” Russell in place of the injured Jacque Fourie, while Eddie Andrews drops to the replacements bench to accommodate a fit-again Faan Rautenbach.
Western Province lock Quinton Davids retains his place after the Bok management decided to rest Bakkies Botha for the second match running.
”If we pushed it, Bakkies could have played on Saturday, but we didn’t want to risk it,” said White at the team hotel on Tuesday.
Springbok team for the one-off Test against Wales at Loftus in Pretoria on Saturday: Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, Wayne Julies, Brent Russell, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Fourie du Preez; Jacques Cronje, Pedrie Wannenburg, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Quinton Davids, Faan Rautenbach, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.
Replacements: Hanyani Shimange, Eddie Andrews, Geo Cronje, Gerrie Britz, Bolla Conradie, Gaffie du Toit, Henno Mentz. – Sapa