Springbok coach Jake White has kept faith with most of his winning Tri-nations team when he named the side for the first Grand Slam Test against Wales next Saturday.
On Friday, White announced just three changes — two enforced due to injury — to the run-on side that did duty in the last Tri-Nations Test against Australia, and named two new caps on the bench.
Flanker Juan Smith and scrumhalf Fourie du Preez replace the injured AJ Venter and Bolla Conradie respectively.
Ashwin Willemse makes his comeback from injury and will replace Jean de Villiers on the wing, with De Villiers reverting to the bench. Flanker Tim Dlulane and scrumhalf Michael Claasens make their Bok debuts on the bench.
”Ninety percent of the team played in the Tri-Nations, ” said White. ”We’ve kept the same team because we would like to start with a win. And this team might play all the games, we’ll have to see.”
And White must be hugely relieved that he did not have to name a new captain after John Smit’s injury scare. Smit had a coming together with De Wet Barry at practice on Thursday and hobbled into the press conference on crutches.
”The ankle’s good, but it didn’t look good yesterday,” said Smit. ”I had X-rays and everything is
fine. It’s just walking on crutches which is quite embarrassing.”
White was pretty confident that his captain will be fit for the Welsh game.
”No, he’ll be fine. The one thing about this team is that we have continuity so someone can easily slot in. If we have to wait for a decision on Saturday morning before the game, then we will.”
Probably the most surprising selection for the starting XV was that of Ashwin Willemse. He has had a long injury layoff and has not played first-class rugby since May of this year.
”Ashwin was the best player last year,” said White. ”We know what he adds to the team and he oozes confidence. We would rather start with Ashwin and see how long he can go, rather than bringing him off the bench. And we’ve got Jean [de Villiers] on the bench.”
Warming the bench along with De Villiers will be a new cap, flanker Tim Dlulane.
”I’m looking forward to it, it’s a huge challenge, ” said Dlulane of his Bok debut. Dlulane sees himself playing the same role as the inimitable Schalk Burger, whom he will replace on the open side flank should he be required.
And his coach agrees.
”He’s a very similar player to Schalk,” said White. ”He has great tackling ability and is strong on his feet.”
White said he has not seen the composition of the Welsh team, but he is confident that the team he has selected will perform.
The Springboks will have the weekend free and a farewell dinner on Monday night, before flying out on Tuesday. — Sapa
The full squad is:
1. Os du Randt
2. John Smit (captain)
3. Eddie Andrews
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield
6. Schalk Burger
7. Juan Smith
8. Joe van Niekerk
9. Fourie du Preez
10. Jaco van der Westhuyzen
11. Ashwin Willemse
12. De Wet Barry
13. Marius Joubert
14. Breyton Paulse
15. Percy Montgomery
Reserves:
16. Hanyani Shimange
17. CJ van der Linde
18. Gerrie Britz
19 Tim Dlulane*
20. Michael Claasens *
21 Jean de Villiers
22 Brent Russel/Gaffie du Toit
* New caps
Markgraaff is Sarfu deputy president