Springbok rugby coach Jake White has made four changes to the starting line-up that narrowly lost to Australia in Perth two weekend’s ago, for the Tri-Nations Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Explosive backrower Joe van Niekerk makes a welcome return to the run-on team in the number eight jersey at Jacques Cronje’s expense, while controversial lock Victor Matfield gets an anticipated recall to partner Bakkies Botha in the second row.
While these two switches were expected, Bolla Conradie’s return at scrumhalf and AJ Venter’s omission for Gerrie Britz at flank were surprising.
Nevertheless it is a combination that should take the All Blacks to the brink. It is a must-win match if the Boks hope to lift the coveted trophy for the first time since 1998.
The changes made by White up-front are designed to re-establish the lineout dominance that has been lacking in the two away Tri-Nations matches.
”AJ is unlucky, but we felt we needed more lineout ball, especially at the back and Joe and Gerrie offer us those options,” explained White on Tuesday.
While the changes to the pack serve to strengthen an already powerful unit, White was loathe to tamper with his backline.
Conradie was the only change in what is slowly becoming a settled and authoratative back division, although flyhalf Jaco van der Westhuyzen will need to up the ante if the New Zealanders are to be beaten for the first time in nine attempts.
”We have scored six tries in two Tests against the Wallabies and All Blacks with limited ball so I was not tempted to make more changes in the backs.”
The last win for the Springboks over the All Blacks came way back in 2000, when Robbie Fleck helped inspire the team to a nail-biting 46-40 win at Ellis Park.
Under White, the Springboks have helped to polish the tarnished image of SA rugby with impressive home wins over Ireland (twice) and Wales, before disposing of the dangerous Pacific Islanders outfit a month ago.
What followed were two narrow defeats to New Zealand and Australia, which suggest that the Boks are finally on the right path, but more is expected.
A loss to New Zealand at Ellis Park would be a major setback, while victory would set-up a series deciding clash with the in-form Wallabies in Durban a week later.
An All Black victory on Saturday would all but hand them the title for a record sixth time in nine attempts, leaving the Boks to play for pride against the title-chasing Aussies in Durban the following weekend.
”We have got to win both these matches to have a chance to win the Tri-Nations and I think we have a great chance to get a step closer at Ellis Park this weekend,” said White.
”We have been working on a few things since getting back together and I’m looking forward to combining all the positives [from the previous Tests] into this match.”
Springbok team: Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, Jean de Villiers, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Bolla Conradie; Joe van Niekerk, Gerrie Britz, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Eddie Andrews, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.
Replacements: Hanyani Shimange, CJ van der Linde, AJ Venter, Jacques Cronje, Fourie du Preez, Gaffie du Toit, Brent Russell. – Sapa