Veteran fullback Percy Montgomery was on Tuesday axed from the South Africa team for Saturday’s Tri-Nations match against Australia.
The 34-year-old, who last week earned his 100th Test cap for South Africa, has been replaced in the team by Conrad Jantjes.
South Africa lost 19-0 to New Zealand in Cape Town last Saturday, all but ending their challenge in this year’s competition.
In the only other change to the starting team that lost last weekend, Cheetahs winger Jongi Nokwe replaces the injured Bryan Habana on the left wing.
Nokwe made his Test debut against Argentina 10 days ago, scoring one of nine Bok tries. The other newcomer to the squad that played last Saturday is Joe van Niekerk, who fills a place on the replacement bench.
Van Niekerk is one of two loose-forward replacements, with the other being specialist openside flank Luke Watson.
South Africa, who experienced major problems at the breakdowns against an inspired All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw in Cape Town, are expecting another tough outing at the rucks where they are likely to face George Smith, Phil Waugh and possibly fit-again Rocky Elsom.
The All Blacks top the competition table with 14 points from five matches, followed by Australia with nine points from three matches. South Africa have just five points from four matches.
South Africa face the Wallabies again next weekend in Johannesburg.
Team: Conrad Jantjes; JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Jongi Nokwe; Butch James, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger; Victor Matfield (captain), Andries Bekker; CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Brian Mujati, Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson, Ricky Januarie, Frans Steyn, Percy Montgomery. — AFP
