A new-look South African side will hope to impress coach Jake White in a one-off international against Samoa in Johannesburg on Saturday.
White has made 13 changes to the starting team that completed a 2-0 series win over England last weekend, resting most of his first-choice players and handing a debut to flanker Luke Watson.
The Springboks will field their most inexperienced backline since 1994 with just 50 caps between them.
White said it was crucial his pack dominated in order to make it easier for the backline, which includes another debutant in Sharks outside centre Waylon Murray.
”It will be quite a risk against a very good Samoan backline, but I’m excited because it’s a nice challenge and I’m interested to see how they go,” said White.
”The forwards we’ve picked are quite experienced and hopefully they can get enough ball to let the backs play well.”
Samoa are at full strength barring rested centre Brian Lima and coach Michael Jones promised the islanders would bring their usual physical approach.
”Our physicality is a gift and as coach I need to facilitate that, not put it in a box,” Jones said.
”We will play true to who we are, so we will be physical and combative, but we are also going to have to be smarter than we have been before against the Springboks. You can only last the first 30 minutes on passion alone, and we need to use our top six inches more.”
Samoa’s previous results against the Springboks have been disappointing, with South Africa scoring 60 points in three of the Tests and winning the other 42-14.
”Playing against the might of the Springboks at Ellis Park is the ultimate opportunity in bridging the gap between the haves and the have-nots, but we must put up an excellent performance. We’re definitely not here to make up numbers, we’re on a mission to perform at the highest level. We don’t want to get smashed out there,” Jones said. — Reuters
Teams:
South Africa: Francois Steyn; Ashwin Willemse, Waylon Murray, Wayne Julies, JP Pietersen; Derick Hougaard, Enrico Januarie; Bobby Skinstad, Danie Rossouw, Luke Watson; Albert van den Berg, Johan Ackermann; BJ Botha, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt. Replacements: Deon Carstens, Gary Botha, Johann Muller, Pedrie Wannenburg, Ruan Pienaar, Jaque Fourie, Percy Montgomery.
Samoa: Gavin Williams; Lome Fa’atau, Anitelela Tuilagi, Seilala Mapusua, Alesana Tuilagi; Loki Crichton, Steven So’oalo; Semo Sititi (captain), Justin Purdie, Daniel Leo; Filipo Levi, Kane Thompson; Census Johnston, Mahonri Schwalger, Justin Va’a. Replacements: Muliufi Salanoa, Donald Kerslake, Iosefa Tekori, Alfie Vaeluaga, Junior Poluleuligaga, Elvis Sevealii, David Levi.
Referee: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland).