Boks call-up uncapped trio for Barbarians

 

By , 2 Dec 2010

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    The uncapped trio of centre Andries Strauss, fly-half Elton Jantjies and prop Coenie Ossthuizen are all set to make their first appearance for South Africa after being selected for the world champions’ tour finale against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday.

    The line-up for a match that does not have Test status shows 12 changes to the side that beat England 21-11 at Twickenham last weekend.

    Out through injury are Victor Matfield, Jean de Villiers, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis and Zane Kirchner while Francois Steyn (Racing Metro) and Ruan Pienaar (Ulster) have returned to their European clubs.

    The Springboks’ new-look line-up sees lock Alistair Hargreaves appear for the first time on tour along with late call-up Odwa Ndungane, while Pat Lambie, Adi Jacobs, Willem Alberts, Adriaan Strauss and CJ van der Linde all make their first starts of the trip

    South Africa coach Peter de Villiers, explaining his selection, said on Wednesday: “The newcomers have been waiting for their chance and will bring energy and enthusiasm to the line-up at the end of a long season.

    “They have trained well and been patient throughout the tour and this is their chance to show what they can do.”

    South Africa have won three and lost three of their six matches against the Barbarians with the most recent encounter, not long after they won the 2007 World Cup, seeing the Springboks beaten 22-5 at Twickenham.

    This match has been given an added dimension by the fact Nick Mallett, the former South Africa turned Italy coach, is in charge of a Barbarians side featuring 11 Test players from Australia and New Zealand.

    “The Barbarians have brought together a very exciting team that is definitely made to play rugby in the traditional Barbarian style,” de Villiers said.

    “Nick (Mallett) will have taken note of what is an untried backline combination and there’s no doubt he’ll be focusing his attention there.

    “But Juan Smith (Springbok captain) and the players are determined to maintain the improvements of this tour and this game is set to be a fascinating contest.”

    South Africa have beaten Ireland, Wales and England this month but their quest for a first victorious ‘grand slam’ tour of Britain and Ireland was foiled by a shock 21-17 loss to Scotland.

    South Africa: Patrick Lambie; Odwa Ndungane, Adi Jacobs, Andries Strauss, Lwazi Mvovo; Elton Jantjies, Francois Hougaard; Ryan Kankowski, Juan Smith (capt), Willem Alberts; Alistair Hargreaves, Bakkies Botha; CJ van der Linde, Adriaan Strauss, Coenie Oosthuizen

    Replacements: Bandise Maku, Tendai Mtawarira, Werner Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Keegan Daniel, Charl McLeod, Gio Aplon

    © AFP 2013