With only 30 places available for the World Cup, competition in the South African squad is as fierce as ever as a bunch of fringe players look to impress national coach Jake White this weekend when the Springboks face Samoa in a one-off Test at Ellis Park.
White has had up to 46 players at his disposal so far this year as he looks to find the ”extras” for the showpiece in France in September and October.
Saturday’s outing gives him his first chance to see if the hopefuls of getting a ticket to France are up to the standard he’s looking for.
No less than 13 changes have been made by White to the team that beat England 55-22 at Loftus Versfeld last week to wrap up a 2-0 series win, with only captain John Smit and scrumhalf Ricky Januarie remaining in the starting XV.
White has opted to rest veterans and World Cup certainties like Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Butch James, Jean de Villiers and Bryan Habana.
It is largely a second-string Bok outfit, but White has some insurance in the likes of Smit, Os du Randt, Albert van den Berg and Bob Skinstad in the starting XV and Percy Montgomery on the bench.
With only 50 Test caps between the backs, which includes Waylon Murray who’ll be on his debut, it is an inexperienced back division.
”I think we’ve got a nice mix at the back,” said White. ”I’m keen to see how they go against a team like Samoa, who’ve got a really exciting backline.
”They’ve all got a great opportunity to put their hands up for a place in the World Cup squad.”
The other new cap in the team is open-side flanker from the Western Stormers, Luke Watson.
The selection of the 23-year-old, the son of anti-apartheid activist Cheeky Watson, hit the headlines a few weeks ago after being put in the side only after the intervention of the South African Rugby Union hierarchy.
Luke, though, has proved himself at all levels of the game, having captained the South African Schools team as well as the national U-21 team.
”I’m very glad I’m in the team and have been given this opportunity,” said Watson.
Also back in the Bok team are Bulls flyhalf Derick Hougaard, his first appearance since the World Cup in 2003, and the Super 14’s leading try scorer, JP Pietersen, who’ll win his second cap.
While the Boks are far from being at full strength they should still be too strong for the men from the Pacific, who’ve battled in the ongoing Pacific Nations Cup where they’ve lost back-to-back games against the Junior All Blacks and Australia A.
While the visitors might not have the skills and experience of the Springboks, they’ll certainly have the physicality to match them in the tackles, rucks and mauls.
”We were born with the gift of being big and strong and physical,” said Samoa coach Michael Jones, the famed All Blacks flanker.
”We’ve got that combative ‘warrior spirit’ in us and the guys always play with plenty of passion, but passion only lasts that long. We’re going to have to be clever against the Springboks … play smart rugby.
Jones added his players, many of whom play in the top leagues in Europe as well as in the Super 14 for the New Zealand sides, were thrilled to get a chance to face the Boks. — Sapa-AFP
Teams:
South Africa: Francois Steyn; Ashwin Willemse, Waylon Murray, Wayne Julies, JP
Pietersen; Derick Hougaard, Ricky Januarie; Bob Skinstad, Danie Rossouw, Luke Watson; Albert van den Berg, Johan Ackermann, BJ Botha, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt. Replacements: Gary Botha, Deon Carstens, 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 (capt), 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.