John Afoa returns to action for New Zealand.
Ulster’s John Afoa returns to the frey, but still no Pienaar as New Zealand and South Africa announce their teams for tomorrow’s Tri Nations clash at Port Elizabeth. KO 4:05pm
New Zealand have made 11 changes with full-back Israel Dagg, wing Isaia Toeava and centre Richard Kahui all handed their Test starts of the season after recovering from injury.
Sonny Bill Williams comes into centre and scrum-half Jimmy Cowan and stand-off Colin Slade form a new half-back partnership.
Prop Tony Woodcock also returns from injury and is joined in the front row by Afoa and Keven Mealamu, who will captain the side with McCaw absent from a much changed pack which sees lock Sam Whitelock and loose forwards Liam Messam and Adam Thomson brought in for the game.
For South Africa, the rumbustious Bismarck du Plessis comes into the front row in place of Smit as one of five changes to the starting XV.
Gurthro Steenkamp comes in at prop and Matfield takes over as captain from the benched Smit.
Willem Alberts starts at flanker, with, surprisingly, Danie Rossouw dropping to the bench and, unsurprisingly, Morne Steyn comes back in at fly-half to replace Butch James.
The exciting Patrick Lambie starts at full-back instead of Frans Steyn who’s out with a hamstring injury.
I had expected Ruan Pienaar to bench on this one, but it is more of a surprise that BJ Botha has not yet made an appearance in a Springbok shirt throughout this series. In terms of teh Tri Nations this is a nothing match for South Africa but with respect to their World Cup build up I’m sure the Bok’s camp would like to take a win from this game in what has been a disappointing series for the South African’s.
They have every chance with the All Blacks fielding their second string but it will still be a tough enough encounter as New Zealand still field a strong back line with an exciting back three and the gifted Sonny Bill starting in the centre.
I’m tipping the Boks for this one purely and simply because they have to win. If not cue nineteen days of self destruction in the South African camp!
South Africa: (15-1) Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp. (16-22) John Smit, Tendai Mtawarira, CJ van der Linde , Danie Rossouw, Ashley Johnson, Francois Hougaard, Butch James.
New Zealand: (15-1) Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Richard Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (capt), Tony Woodcock. (16-22) Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Jarrad Hoeata, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, Cory Jane.
More like this:
3 Responses to “Tri Nations: South Africa v New Zealand preview.”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
There is only one thing wrong with South African Rugby …….. Bok coach Peter de Villiers.
PS
I can’t believe the Springboks are removing the legendary Springbok from the chest of their shirts.
Rate this comment. Like or dislike?
2 
0
Well said Raven – on both points. Think they have moved the Springbok rather than removed it completely now, though? Main emblem is some sort of flower (Proteas i think?) on left side of the chest – Springbok now moved to the right side of the chest…..side-lined in effect – in another nod to Political Correctness (much like that muppet de Villiers’ appointment in the first instance)
Rate this comment. Like or dislike?
1 
0
Thank you GLynncommando. I understand the Springbok is being moved from the chest to the sleeve. But I may be wrong.
Rate this comment. Like or dislike?
0 
0