Springbok coach Jake White handed debuts to three players when he announced his starting side on Wednesday to play Ireland in the team’s European tour opener at Lansdowne Road in Dublin on Saturday.
The new players line up in the back three, with fullback Bevin Fortuin, right wing Jaco Pretorius and left wing Francois Steyn all taking the field and Bryan Habana moved into the centre alongside Jean de Villiers.
South Africa team manager Zola Yeye said the new trio’s selection was part of the team’s planning for next year’s World Cup in France.
”As we prepare for France 2007, we want to make sure that we have the necessary depth to provide ourselves as many options as possible.
”The three new players represent that vision,” Yeye added. ”I wish them and all the others selected for the game good luck. We are confident that they will represent the country with pride.”
This weekend’s match will be the first of a three-Test tour that will also see the Springboks play back-to-back internationals against England at Twickenham later this month.
Up front, captain John Smit will set a new record for consecutive Tests by a Springbok with a 40th successive appearance. The hooker, who is leading his country for the 36th time, will also equal Gary Teichmann’s South Africa captaincy record. — Sapa-AFP
South Africa
Bevin Fortuin (Cheetahs), Jaco Pretorius (Cats), Bryan Habana (Bulls), Jean de Villiers (Stormers), Francois Steyn (Sharks), Andre Pretorius (Cats), Ricky Januarie (Cats), Pierre Spies (Bulls), Juan Smith (Cheetahs), Danie Rossouw (Bulls), Albert van den Berg (Sharks), Johan Ackermann (Sharks), CJ van der Linde (Cheetahs), John Smit (Sharks, captain), Lawrence Sephaka (Cats).
Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepele (Bulls), BJ Botha (Sharks), Johann Muller (Sharks), Jacques Cronje (Bulls), Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), Wynand Olivier (Bulls), JP Pietersen (Sharks)