The Springboks have called up Francois Steyn in the sole change to their side to counter the threat from the All Blacks’ Dan Carter in their crucial Tri-Nations rugby clash on Saturday.
Steyn replaces fullback Ruan Pienaar, who has been relegated to the bench after starting in the side that suffered an upset 6-21 defeat to the Wallabies in Brisbane last weekend.
It was the South Africans’ first loss of the series this year and opened the door for the All Blacks to come from behind to pip the runaway leaders with two games remaining in the southern hemisphere championship.
The All Blacks would need to score at least four tries to secure a bonus-point win against the Springboks and then repeat the performance the following week against the Wallabies to overhaul South Africa’s nine-point lead.
South African coach Peter de Villiers felt Steyn, with his prodigious boot, would be better suited than Pienaar to counter the expected New Zealand game plan.
”It’s a case of horses-for-courses,” he said.
”With Dan Carter at fly-half for the All Blacks we are expecting them to kick quite a bit and Frans will be able to play a key role with his big boot.”
Steyn played a significant role in South Africa’s two Test wins on home grounds against the All Blacks earlier in the series with his boot keeping New Zealand pinned in their own territory.
The remainder of the South African side is unchanged although wing Bryan Habana (hamstring) and number eight Pierre Spies (groin) are still undergoing medical treatment.
Although the Springboks struggled at scrum time against Australia last week, de Villiers has remained loyal to his front row.
South Africa:
Francois Steyn, Odwa Ngungane, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Schalk Burger, Ricky Januarie, Adrian Jacobs, Ruan Pienaar.