Two news caps were on Monday included in the Springbok starting line-up for Saturday’s Test against Uruguay in East London, with Jean de Villiers picked at inside centre.
The line-up was named by chief coach Jake White at a press conference.
The new caps are Lions scrumhalf Enrico January, who will partner flyhalf Jaco van der Westhuyzen, and right wing Tonderai Chavanga, of Western Province. As expected, the multiskilled Bryan Habana trots out on the left wing.
However, there was bad news regarding spring-heeled lock Victor Matfield, who was to have been among the replacements. Matfield, who has pulled up with groin injury, has been replaced by Albert van den Berg, with Gerrie Britz brought on to the bench.
Regarding the selection of De Villiers at inside centre — he turned out seven times last year on the wing — White said there was a deliberate move to rest key players, of which centre De Wett Barry was one.
”The selection of Jean at centre alongside Marius Joubert is an opportunity to test a new combination and see what we can get out of them.
”De Wett is just one of several players who deserve a rest, and Saturday’s Test provides an opportunity to expose the less-experienced player to Test rugby. We are continually looking for balance and the trying-out of new ideas,” he said.
Captain and hooker John Smit, who will be making his 40th appearance in the Bok jersey since earning his first cap in East London against Canada in 2000, leads a side that includes five players of colour in the starting XV and one on the bench in hooker Hanyani Shimange.
Those in the starting XV are loosehead prop Gurthro Steenkamp, number-six flanker Solly Tyibilika, Januarie, Habana and Chavanga.
White said the Springboks take every Test seriously and will not be underestimating the Uruguayans, despite their lowly ranking.
”It’s the beginning of a new season and we want to start it well.”
White said he expects the South Americans to favour the maul and try to slow the ball up.
Asked if players who excel in Saturday’s Test will be considered for a Test place against France, White said a long season lies ahead.
”As such, the balance within the team and the injury factor cannot be discounted. The latest injury to Victor and the necessary calling-up of Gerrie Britz means we must take one game at a time,” he said.
White can feel satisfied he will be fielding a very good side despite the inexperience of a number of players at Test level and the number of injured front-line players.
But with so much talent on the bench to call on, White can be expected to sleep easy — at least for this week — before confronting the French in Durban.
The Springboks were to stage a training session on Monday afternoon at Selborne College Grounds, with another on Tuesday.
The Uruguayans, who arrived from Cape Town on Monday afternoon, held a training session at Police Park. — Sapa
Springbok team (number of Test caps in brackets): 1. Gurthro Steenkamp (2), 2. John Smit (capt, 39), 3. CJ van der Linde (13), 4. Bakkies Botha (22), 5. Albert van den Berg (25), 6. Solly Tyibilika (2), 7. Danie Rossouw (7), 8. Jacques Cronje (10), 9. Enrico Januarie, 10. Jaco van der Westhuyzen (22), 11. Bryan Habana (3), 12. Jean de Villiers (9), 13. Marius Joubert (26), 14. Tonderai Chavanga, 15. Percy Montgomery (61).
Replacements: 16. Hanyani Shimange (4), 17. Os du Randt (52), 18. Gerrie Britz, 19. Joe van Niekerk (32), 20. Fourie du Preez (13), 21. Jacque Fourie (7), 22. Brent Russell (17).