LONDON: Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer made five changes to his starting line-up today for Saturday’s big Test against England at Twickenham.
The major decisions Meyer made was to select a new halfback combination, with Sharks duo Cobus Reinach and Patrick Lambie coming in for Bulls pair Francois Hougaard and Handré Pollard, who had started in last week’s 29-15 defeat to Ireland in Dublin.
Meyer has opted for extra experience in the shape of JP Pietersen at right wing in place of Cornal Hendricks, while Schalk Burger is back at No 7 flank ahead of Teboho Mohoje.
The Bok coach continues his rotation policy at hooker, with Adriaan Strauss getting his opportunity this time around and Bismarck du Plessis on the bench.
Meyer said the changes were not a knee-jerk reaction following the result in Dublin, but rather in line with rotational changes that he had in mind before the start of the tour.
Strauss, Lambie and Pietersen all started in the Springboks’ last Test at Twickenham, two years ago, while Saturday’s match will be Reinach’s first start. “Pat started at Twickenham for us two years ago and did very well,” said Meyer.
“He’s playing well at the moment and I wanted to give him the opportunity to start. Pat is tactically very astute and even though he’s still pretty young, he’s got a lot of experience.
“Adriaan, Schalk and JP have all started a number of Tests this year and they will slot in easily – we decided beforehand that we wanted to start all of these players in one of the first two Tests on tour.
“It’s a big occasion for Cobus, but he would not have been here if we didn’t believe he could deliver the goods, and he’ll be next to his provincial teammate in Pat.
“As usual, we’re also expecting our replacements to raise the intensity when they’re sent on and Bismarck, who had a very good game in Dublin especially in the set-pieces, ‘Oupa’ (Mohoje), Francois, Cornal and Handré will provide important cover off the bench.”
SPRINGBOK TEAM
15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Bench: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Bakkies Botha, 20 Teboho Mohoje, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Cornal Hendricks.