South Africa have made four changes to their starting XV for the Tri-Nations rugby clash with the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday night.
After dropping their opening two games of the series to New Zealand, the Springboks have injected Stormers winger Gio Aplon, Sharks halfback Ruan Pienaar and Sharks openside flanker Ryan Kankowski.
In the other change, interchange prop BJ Botha swaps places with CJ van der Linde in the starting side.
Aplon replaces Jean de Villiers, Piennar slots in for Ricky Januarie while Kankowski displaces Francois Louw following the Springboks’ second straight loss — last weekend’s 31-17 defeat in Wellington.
The All Blacks picked up where they left off from after the 32-12 thrashing in the Tri-Nations opener at Eden Park.
Kiwi critics have panned the 2007 World Cup winners as being off the pace and tired following their opening losses.
The words seemed to be ringing in Springboks coach Peter de Villiers’ ears when quizzed on his changes on Tuesday.
“We have to bring some speed into our team,” he said.
But captain John Smit added: “Tri-Nations is probably the quickest of all the tournaments we play — I wouldn’t say it is catching us by surprise.
The Springboks also have injury dramas with lock Andries Bekker ruled out of the Brisbane clash with a back injury suffered in the 31-17 defeat.
South Africa are already without first choice secondrower Bakkies Botha, who was banned for nine weeks after headbutting New Zealand halfback Jimmy Cowan in the opening round defeat.
South Africa team: Zane Kirchner, Gio Aplon, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Oliver, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Pierre Spies, Ryan Kankowski, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw, BJ Botha, John Smit (capt), Gurthro Steenkamp. Res: Chiliboy Ralepelle, CJ van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe, Dewald Potgieter, Francois Hougaard, Butch James, Juan de Jongh.
Justin
Guest
I don't think there is much doubt that from the stocks available the Boks have chosen a better lineup. That's not saying much when you look at Deans. The Wallabies are fast becoming the cricket team where it's hard to get dropped!!!
Ben S
Roar Guru
I think this side looks far better equipped to play 3N rugby than the previous two XV's. The tight five looks more balanced, the back three looks more balanced, and the half back pairing looks more balanced.
nicksa
Guest
lee Its better we have olivier there, de jongh is still green and may prove to be a disaster if thrown in the deep end! Louw was fantastic during the super 14 but he really was shown up against the all blacks. I would have played potgieter instead of kankowsky but who knows maybe kankowsky will do the job! Overall im happy with this bok team. The last qaurter of the 2nd all black test showed the way forward for the boks! A couple of tweaks and they are gonna be monsters! I think its a very tough call for the brisbane test since it is a bogey ground and its the third week on tour but i suspect the boks might win. Hopefully they do and aus cause the all blacks some problems so we can have a shot at retaining the tri nations! What i do know is that the boks will win their home games...
Lee
Guest
I don't know if they NEED it to win games, afterall they have won games with JDV and Fourie in the mid-field and you wouldn't say either are th ecreative type of mid-fielders. However, I can't understand not having De Jongh there, he has shown more promise in 4 tests than Olivier has shown in 31.
Matt
Guest
I agree that De Jongh needs to be given some game time. He's a real creative type of talent, something that the Boks are currently lacking and something that they need to add if they want to start winning games.
Lee
Guest
Hougaard will play at 9 if Pienaar goes off. Would still prefer De Jongh to Olivier in the mid-field and can't stand the fact that Butch James is anywhere near the Boks at the moment, but these changes seem to suggest that the Boks are going to try and run the ball.
stuff happens
Guest
Agreed Rusty and I'll be fascinated to see how the 'Boks shape up after their NZ drubbings. They don't look like happy campers to me.I suppose they have to persist with Smit as he's the captain. Having said that perhaps he fancies his chances of redemption after he's seen the Wallaby team ! Spies & Kankowski must be the two of the fastest back row forwards in the history of rugby,but Juan Smith is still their best. I've been mystified by the 'Bok squad selections at scrum half for the TN. Who plays scrum half if Piennar goes off?
Rusty
Roar Guru
Better - much better. Players playing in position and some speed on the blind side with Kankowski. Aplon starting is also excellent news. Replacements also bring more zing to the party and I look forward to de Jongh, Potgieter and Hougaard getting on the pitch