/ 15 June 2006

Habana back in the mix for Scotland Test

South Africa recalled fit-again winger Bryan Habana and Scotland made six changes to its run-on side for the second rugby Test on Saturday.

South Africa won the first 36-16 last Saturday at Durban. Habana missed that match because of an ankle injury he aggravated in the Bulls’ Super 14 semifinal.

Habana scored 12 tries in 12 Tests last year.

Springboks coach Jake White will introduce a new midfield, with inside centre Wynand Olivier receiving his first Test start in place of the injured Jean de Villiers, and 37-cap Andre Snyman shifted from the wing to outside centre in place of Jacque Fourie.

De Villiers broke ribs in the first Test, and Fourie broke a rib in training for the second Test.

The pack was unchanged, but named to the reserves on Wednesday were tighthead prop CJ van der Linde after a lengthy break for a shoulder injury, and injury-free lock Albert van den Berg in place of Johann Muller, who made his debut last weekend.

Centre Wayne Julies, who replaced De Villiers in the squad, was in the reserves as cover for the midfield.

One of Scotland’s changes was enforced as winger Sean Lamont was injured making the tackle on De Villiers which broke the South African’s ribs.

Lamont was replaced by Simon Webster.

In the other changes: Gordon Ross replaced Dan Parks at flyhalf, and forwards Scott Lawson, Bruce Douglas, Scott Murray and Donnie Macfadyen dropped out for Dougie Hall, Craig Smith, Alastair Kellock and Jon Petrie.

”Our first priority is to win the Test match this weekend and there are also things we need to look at from the World Cup perspective, such as the blend of the side and what individuals can do,” Scotland coach Frank Hadden said.

Scotland stayed in Durban to train.

”Last week’s group had the opportunity to do something special,” Hadden said. ”Now that chance falls to the team for this week.”

South Africa: Percy Montgomery; Breyton Paulse, Andre Snyman, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana; Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Fourie du Preez; Os du Randt, John Smit (captain), Eddie Andrews, Danie Rossouw, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Joe van Niekerk. Replacements: Hanyani Shimange, C.J. van der Linde, Albert van den Berg, Jacques Cronje, Enrico Januarie, Wayne Julies, Gaffie du Toit.

Scotland: Hugo Southwell; Chris Paterson, Marcus Di Rollo, Andrew Henderson, Simon Webster; Gordon Ross, Mike Blair; Gavin Kerr, Dougie Hall, Craig Smith; Nathan Hines, Alastair Kellock; Jason White (captain), Allister Hogg, Jon Petrie. Replacements: Scott Lawson, Bruce Douglas, Scott MacLeod, Kelly Brown, Donnie Macfadyen, Sam Pinder, Ben MacDougall. – Sapa-AP