New-look Bok side for final test
by Gavin Rich | 02 July 2009 (12:55)
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| Morne Steyn © Gallo Images |
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has rung the changes for the final test against the British and Irish Lions at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday in what he has explained as an attempt "to give everyone a chance".
Bok assistant coach Dick Muir said earlier in the week that the strongest possible side would be selected for the game in a quest for a 3-0 series whitewash, but while the side may have been improved in some areas, in most there is a mix and match look that gives it the appearance of an experimental combination.
In all there are ten changes to the side that won the first two test matches, with six coming at the back, where Zane Kirchner gets his first cap at fullback. Sharks wing Odwa Ndungane and Cheetahs wing Jonghi Nokwe are the other surprise inclusions, while many would say that Jaque Fourie’s inclusion at outside centre was long overdue considering the poor form Adrian Jacobs has been in.
Wynand Olivier, the form South African centre in the recent Super 14, gets to play his first game at inside centre since the World Cup year, with Jean de Villiers taking a break this week. The combinations from No 9 through to No 13, from scrumhalf to outside centre, are where this team looks stronger than the one that won in Durban and Pretoria.
Morne Steyn was the most consistent local flyhalf in the Super 14 and he is being reunited with his Super 14 scrumhalf partner Fourie du Preez, and Olivier, who slots in on the outside of Steyn, is also a Bulls player.
It is at forward that the Boks lack key personnel. At lock it cannot be helped, because Bakkies Botha lost his appeal of his suspension on Thursday morning and Andries Bekker was not available because of injury.
This means Johann Muller slots in as Victor Matfield’s second row partner, with Steven Sykes of the Sharks, an uncapped player, coming in as lock cover. There is no doubt the Boks will be losing something in the other tight five change, which sees Chiliboy Ralepelle replace Bismarck du Plessis at hooker.
Du Plessis was probably the most important member of the Bok tight five outside of Matfield in the last test, and his presence will be missed. Fortunately it appears the Bok management were spoken out of their initial intention to leave Du Plessis out of the squad entirely for this match, for he is included on the bench.
In the other changes the suspended Schalk Burger’s place is taken by Heinrich Brussow, and Pierre Spies moves to the bench to give Ryan Kankowski a chance at No 8.
De Villiers, in explaining his decision to make so many changes, said it came down to his promise to give as many players as possible a chance to play against the Lions.
“I wanted to give everyone a chance to play in this game because we have a lot of respect for the Lions and what they mean and we think it is only right that the players get a chance to play against them,” said De Villiers.
De Villiers admitted that he changed his mind “five times this week” and that if the team was not now committed to paper he might well have changed his mind again.
Considering his reasoning for making the changes, the surprising significant absentee from the squad for this game is Earl Rose, who has now gone on a Bok tour under De Villiers and been part of the squad for an entire Lions series without yet even getting a place on the bench.
“I have a long term plan with Earl Rose, I have achieved what I wanted to with him. With him, it is a long term plan,” explained De Villiers.
Springbok team: Zane Kirchner, Odwa Ndungane, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier, Jongi Nokwe, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Ryan Kankowski, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, John Smit (captain), Chiliboy Ralepelle, Beast Mtwarira.
Bench: Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, Deon Carstens, Steven Sykes, Pierre Spies, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn.
Read more on the British & Irish Lions page.
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