Veteran prop Os du Randt was sidelined by South Africa for this weekend’s Tri-Nations rugby opener against Australia so he’ll be ready next week for the All Blacks.
Only four starters from last weekend’s 35-8 win over Samoa were named by coach Jake White on Wednesday for Saturday’s Test at Newlands. Going back to the second Test win over England, there were five changes.
Du Randt, second in experience in the Springboks squad only to fullback Percy Montgomery, was replaced by Gurthro Steenkamp at loosehead prop following his first Test since last year’s Tri-Nations.
”We did not consider him for this Test because he may be needed to scrum against Carl Hayman when we face the All Blacks next week,” White told the South African Press Association.
Scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar makes his first start of the year after backing up injured Ricky Januarie in the first three Tests. Michael Claasens was in the reserves.
”I don’t think Ruan expected to be starting the fourth Test of the season but he has a great opportunity after featuring as a utility player in his previous eight Tests,” White said.
Centre Jaque Fourie also received his first start this season after a replacement appearance against Samoa. Fourie, recovered from a groin injury, takes over from Wynand Olivier to join Jean de Villiers in midfield. Sharks winger JP Pietersen received his third Test cap while Bulls counterpart Bryan Habana was reconvering from minor knee surgery, and Ashwin Willemse was on the right wing in place of Akona Ndungane.
BJ Botha held out CJ van der Linde at tighthead prop, and flanker Danie Rossouw was on the bench in place of former captain Bob Skinstad.
With three wins out of three matches, White said it was important to keep winning.
”We have had a good start but we are now entering a new competition where we will be able to judge ourselves against one of the teams that we will possibly meet in the World Cup knockout stages,” he said.
Success in the Tri-Nations still had significance in a World Cup year, he added.
”It is a tough one because if you win the Tri-Nations it does not mean you will start as favourites at the World Cup. On the other side, not winning the Tri-Nations does not mean you will not do well at the World Cup.
”The key for me is that 85% of the players I want to pick are fit. The mood currently is very good and there is healthy competition within the squad. It was good to be able to give a lot of the guys who played through the Super 14 some time off. They
have come back fresh and there has been good intensity at training.”
Australia will name its side on Thursday. – Sapa-AP
SA team: Percy Montgomery, Ashwin Willemse, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, JP Pietersen, Butch James, Ruan Pienaar, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, BJ Botha, John Smit (captain), Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Gary Botha, CJ van der Linde, Johan Muller, Danie Rossouw, Michael Claasesens, Wynand Olivier, Francois Steyn.