Smit makes history as Springboks stick with winning side

South Africa captain John Smit will equal Os Du Randt’s record of 80 Test caps as a Springbok forward after being named in an unchanged line-up for Saturday’s clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.

Head coach Peter de Villiers has stuck with the same 22 that beat Wales 20-15 in the opening match of their European tour after centre Adi Jacobs and lock Bakkies Botha recovered from injuries suffered in Cardiff.

“Bakkies saw a specialist this morning and was given the all-clear,” said De Villiers.

“It’s a big boost to the team - you saw the impact he had in the first 40 minutes against Wales and we’re glad to have him back.

“I decided on an unchanged team to maintain consistency and allow this team to establish themselves as the core 22. We have brought a squad of 28 players but that does not necessarily mean that every player will play on this tour. Players will have to work for their places.”

Smit’s 80th cap will make him joint third in the list of South Africa’s most-capped players, level with Du Randt but behind Percy Montgomery (102 caps) and Joost van der Westhuizen (89).

SPRINGBOK TEAM
Conrad Jantjes, JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, John Smit (capt), Bismarck du Plessis, Beast Mtawarira. Replacements: Brian Mujati, Gurthro Steenkamp, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Ricky Januarie, Francois Steyn, Jaque Fourie

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© 2008 AFP