Bok coach rings changes for Wales Test

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 30: Heineke Meyer during the South African National rugby team training session at Fourways High School on September 30, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 30: Heineke Meyer during the South African National rugby team training session at Fourways High School on September 30, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)

Published Nov 26, 2014

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Cardiff - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer made five changes to his starting line-up on Wednesday for Saturday’s Test against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Meyer has had to pick a brand-new back-three combination due to the absence of overseas-based players such as Johan Goosen, Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen, who were not available for this match as it falls outside the official Test window.

Willie le Roux has been the first-choice fullback over the last 18 months anyway, but Cheetahs speedster Cornal Hendricks and Sharks flyer Lwazi Mvovo finally get another opportunity to impress Meyer before the World Cup against a strong Welsh backline boasting top-quality wings such as George North and Alex Cuthbert.

Meyer has stuck with Patrick Lambie at flyhalf ahead of Handré Pollard, with Lambie’s consistent performances against England and Italy - particularly with regards to his tactical kicking - winning him the nod for the final Test of the year.

Bismarck du Plessis gets his second start of the tour as part of the rotation policy at hooker, with Adriaan Strauss dropping down to the bench this time, while Tendai Mtawarira returns from a week off due to cramps in place of Trevor Nyakane at loosehead prop.

Western Province midfielder Damian de Allende, who hasn’t featured in any of the three previous tour Tests, gets his chance and will act as cover for the centres and wings.

“This tour has been a good test of our depth and we’re looking forward to see what the team can do on Saturday,” Meyer said.

“We will face a fired-up Welsh side this weekend. They played very well against New Zealand (last week) and it will be a tough end to our season, but we want to finish on a high and the focus this week has been on ensuring we keep on building on what we’ve done thus far this year.

“All the players coming into the team have been part of our squad for most of the season. They know our plans and structures, and now it’s about execution on Saturday.”

Reserve scrumhalf Rudy Paige sustained a knee ligament injury during practice on Tuesday and it was confirmed on Wednesday that he has been ruled out for three to four weeks. A replacement scrumhalf will be named at a later stage.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 4.30pm South African time.

Springbok team:

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Bench: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian de Allende.

Independent Media

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