Flanker Jacques Potgieter will win his first cap on Saturday when South Africa face England in the final match of a three-Test series.
The inclusion of the bearded 26-year-old Northern Bull is one of three enforced changes to the Springbok team that took a series-clinching 2-0 lead after a 36-27 triumph in Johannesburg last Saturday.
Making his first appearance in the green and gold extra special is the fact that the Port Elizabeth-born 1.94-metre loose forward will make his Test debut at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in his home city.
Potgieter replaces Willem Alberts, known as The Bone Collector and one of the outstanding forwards of the series, who has not recovered from a knee ligament injury sustained at Ellis Park last weekend.
An ankle injury suffered by fullback Patrick Lambie in the same match rules him out and versatile Gio Aplon returns to the national team after making 16 previous appearances.
Western Stormer Aplon will be the third Springbok No.15 in as many Tests with Zane Kirchner playing only half the first Test in Durban before retiring injured and Lambie started in Johannesburg.
Inside centre Francois Steyn is getting married on Saturday and his place goes to 36-cap Wynand Olivier, one of six Bulls in the starting line-up as the Springbok seek to make it 10 wins in a row since 2006 over the Red Roses.
“Injuries have forced us to make changes, which is never ideal, but this provides an opportunity for players like Gio, Wynand and Jacques to put their hands up,” head coach Heyneke Meyer said in a statement.
There are two changes among the replacements with No.8 Ryan Kankowski taking over from Coastal Sharks teammate Keegan Daniel and young Golden Lions five-eighth Elton Jantjies getting his first match-22 call-up in place of Olivier.
Meyer said outside centre Jean de Villiers would remain captain for the rest of the year, which includes six Rugby Championship (formerly Tri Nations) matches and a three-Test end-of-season tour to Britain and Ireland.
“Jean has established himself as a brilliant leader and ambassador for South African rugby in the last two weeks. We have built up an awesome working relationship based on trust, integrity and loyalty,” said the coach.
De Villiers succeeded hooker John Smit, who retired after the Springboks lost to Australia in the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals having led his country for eight years.
South Africa: Gio Aplon, JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers (capt), Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies, Jacques Potgieter, Marcell Coetzee, Juandre Kruger, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Res: Adriaan Strauss, Werner Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Ryan Kankowski, Ruan Pienaar, Elton Jantjies, Bjorn Basson.
Basson's selection as bench player didn't make sense from the start, Aplon has many more qualities than Basson and is multitalented. Even though he isn't much smaller than Basson ( who himself isn't very big) he is twice the defender.
Markus
Guest
I don't see the issue with Basson as outside back cover. He's quick, strong under the high ball and kick chase (and has experience with Morne Steyn and Hougaard in this area) and is SA's top tryscorer in Super Rugby. Jantjes has been solid in a very poor Lions team, and with Lambie and Goosen injured it was really only him and Peter Grant left to choose from as flyhalves. I agree that Olivier and Kanko are both poor selections though. Kolisi definitely deserves a call up, and for centres I'd have moved de Villiers in to 12 and try a young 13 like Juan de Jongh or Tim Whitehead in place of Meisiekind.
Choclit_bear
Guest
Wow really? So even though you clearly state that Meyer has made many selections you dont agree with the 2 black players have to be derided as political picks! It cant be because given the coaches intended game plan Basson has the aerial ability required and it also cant be that Jantjies is a talented young player with a decent skill set and with injuries to the other 10's that could have been picked (Lambie, Goosen) he was the next logical pick?
AussieBokkie
Roar Rookie
I agree with you Royce. Potgieter was pretty fantastic for the Bulls and he seems the obvious replacement to Alberts, as they play a similar big-boy-bashup style. Janjties doesn't deserve to be there, neither does Basson and Olivier. I think it's pretty clear that Basson and Jantjies are political selections....guess we better get used to it because the black quota doesn't seem to be leaving anytime soon. Would also really have liked to see Kolisi get a call-up in place of Kankowski. I'm still gee'd up by our start to the new Bok era though. Meyer may make some dodgy selections here and there but I feel blessed to know we have him and Rassie at the helm. GO BOKKIES!!
Mike
Guest
There is only one Beast
Royce Strauss
Guest
Oh... the pathetic bench is oozing it's way into the starting 15. Glad Potgieter is there, although you don't know how well he'll come back from injury. Meyer said he doesn't like giving away Bok caps for free. Why is Kankowski on the bench then? There are too many players to complain about. Thankfully the Boks have a good gameplan, but that selection.... yuck.
Rusty
Roar Guru
Aplon will bring some electricity to the back but I have concerns on the centre pairing where both of them can be a bit of a bosh merchant. Potgieter is an interesting choice - he certainly is an abrasive big ball carrying flank so will be interesting to see how he goes. Still have issues with the bench but will see how it goes
Amateur Hour
Guest
The selection of Jantjies is interesting. Is there more to Steyn's poor goal kicking form than we know about? The other goal kicker F Steyn is unavailable for selection and this is why I'd suggest that they've gone with Jantjies as cover. Couldn't agree more with retaining Jdv as capt. He seems to have really grown into the role. The "Bone Collector" - love it!!
Hmmm does that even things up a bit. England by 1 point!