Cape Town - The Springboks have had to make an injury-enforced change to the team for Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against New Zealand, with the uncapped Lionel Mapoe coming in for JP Pietersen.
Pietersen strained his hamstring during Wednesday’s training session at St Peter’s College, and will not be available to face the All Blacks. As a result, Cornal Hendricks will start at right wing, with Mapoe coming onto the bench.
“It’s a huge setback to lose JP for a big match such as this one as he has been in good form and brings valuable experience to our backline, but Cornal played against the All Blacks last year, scored a brilliant try in Wellington and is raring to go,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
“Lionel was not available for selection because of injury when we got together as a squad a few weeks ago and Jesse Kriel grabbed his opportunity with both hands. That is why I am delighted that Lionel is now getting his chance.
“We had a number of options on the bench, but decided on Lionel as he covers wing and outside centre, which is what we had in JP.”
Revised Springbok team to face New Zealand:
Position/Name/Franchise or Club/Test Caps/Test Points
15 Willie le Roux Toyota Cheetahs 26 35
14 Cornal Hendricks Toyota Cheetahs 11 25
13 Jesse Kriel Vodacom Bulls 1 5
12 Damian de Allende DHL Stormers 4 0
11 Bryan Habana Toulon 107 285
10 Handré Pollard Vodacom Bulls 10 75
9 Ruan Pienaar (vice-captain) Ulster 81 135
8 Schalk Burger (captain) DHL Stormers 76 70
7 Francois Louw Bath 35 25
6 Heinrich Brüssow Toyota Cheetahs 20 5
5 Lood de Jager Toyota Cheetahs 10 10
4 Eben Etzebeth DHL Stormers 34 5
3 Jannie du Plessis Cell C Sharks 63 5
2 Bismarck du Plessis Cell C Sharks 71 45
1 Tendai Mtawarira Cell C Sharks 65 10
Replacements:
16 Adriaan Strauss Vodacom Bulls 45 25
17 Trevor Nyakane Vodacom Bulls 12 5
18 Vincent Koch DHL Stormers 0 0
19 Flip van der Merwe Vodacom Bulls 35 5
20 Warren Whiteley Emirates Lions 2 0
21 Cobus Reinach Cell C Sharks 7 10
22 Pat Lambie Cell C Sharks 41 106
23 Lionel Mapoe Emirates Lions 0 0
ANA