Bulls fullback Zane Kirschner will make his debut as Springbok on Saturday against the British & Irish Lions.

The 25-year-old Bulls fullback is an unexpected addition to the Bok line-up that will try to make history by becoming the first South African team in the two sides’ 118 history to win all three tests in a series. The Springboks have won three series - in 1903, 1962 and 1968 - but never all the tests.

Kirchner joined the team on Monday at Bok coach Peter de Villiers’s request. Although it was initially said that Kirchner was invited to gain experience, De Villiers will on Thursday surprise many by announcing the name of the fullback as a member of the Bok 22-member squad.

Kirchner’s brilliant form in the Super 14 and his performance for the Emerging Boks against the Lions at Newlands, convinced De Villiers to give the Bulls star a chance.

Kirchner has played in 15 of the Bulls’ Super 14 matches and impressed with his excellent tactical kicking and his ability to win back his own high kicks.

He is also not afraid to attack and scored four tries. His defence is rock solid. “Zane will play,” said De Villiers when he was asked about the presence of Kirchner at training.

The curly-haired fullback will be a popular choice with the public because South African rugby supporters have been asking for his inclusion.

Kirchner is one of six changes that the Boks are making to the backs.

As Sport24 reported on Monday, Morné Steyn could play flyhalf, Wynand Olivier and Jaque Fourie could be centres and Jongi Nokwe and Odwa Ndungane could form the back three with Kirchner.

It will obviously be a risk to play with a new backline against the Lions but these men seemed very sure of themselves when put through their paces on Tuesday.

Springbok backline coach, Dick Muir, told Sport24 that he had a lot of confidence in Kirchner. “After working with him for the Emerging Boks, he convinced me and the rest of the coaching team that he is someone who could play the role of fullback the way we want it done. We have therefore decided to employ him earlier, rather than later, and it will be a good reward for him.”

Kirchner’s inclusion also points to him possibly being involved in the forthcoming Tri-Nations series. With regard to the other changes to the backline, Muir said it was a chance for these players to make their mark. “They are playing for a place in the starting team. It is a privilege and I hope they use it.”

Muir said there were a couple of considerations when the team were chosen. “It was a long Super 14 series. Then will come a tough Tri-Nations, after which the players have Currie Cup rugby before the tour at the end of the year. We took all these things into consideration but we will still pick the strongest possible team.”

With the series in the bag, De Villiers and his team have the freedom to reward all the players in the group. And all the supporters’ favourites — including Kirchner, Steyn, Fourie and Heinrich Brüssow will be in the team, even though the Bok coach said he didn’t pay attention to public opinion.

The Sharks eight man, Ryan Kankowski and the Bulls hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle will also be in the starting line-up, with the latter who will start in his first test.

Bakkies Botha’s case will be heard on Thursday morning and he will be included in the team if his appeal is successful. Otherwise Johann Muller and Victor Matfield will be the lock pair.

This could mean a place for Dewald Potgieter on the bench. Potgieter also trained with the Boks for the first time on Tuesday.

Source: suprsport.co.za

The British & Irish Lions have named their team to face the Springboks in the second test at Loftus with the inclusion of Simon Shaw.

The London Wasps and England lock is one of three changes to the Lions pack following their 26-21 defeat in the first Test in Durban and one of five changes overall to the starting line-up.

Head coach Ian McGeechan has also made four changes to his replacements bench as he goes in search of the victory that will keep the three Test series alive.

The changes made see Rob Kearney replacing the injured Lee Byrne at fullback, whilst Ugo Monye, Alun-Wyn Jones, Phil Vickery and Lee Mears make way for Luke Fitzgerald, Simon Shaw, Adam Jones and Matthew Rees respectively.

Changes among the replacements see Ross ford, Andrew Sheridan and Shane Williams drafted in and Alun-Wyn Jones drop down from the first Test starting XV to replace Donncha O’Callaghan.

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There are some questions about Willem de Waal’s equalising coversion kick for the Emerging Boks in their 13 - 13 draw against the British & Irish Lions at Newlands.

The 31-year-old flyhalf on Tuesday night gave supporters a reason to cheer at the drenched Newlands stadium when he ensured that the Emerging Springboks drew 13-13 with the tourists.

But immediately after the match there was a scramble to establish if the touring team had suffered an injustice.

Journalists approached André Watson, South Africa’s chief referee about the kick. Watson admitted that he had his doubts about whether it was a valid kick and therefore studied visual footage.

The footage appeared to be contradictory but it was finally deduced, partly from the body language of the Lions, that the kick was valid.

“I watched it on Tuesday night in slow motion. With the shot from behind, you are looking for a moment when you see the ball and the posts disappear. You get it on two shots,” said Watson.

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Welsh and British & Irish Lions winger and World Player of the Year 2008 Shane Williams has admitted that the game against the Emerging Springboks on Tuesday at Newlands may be his last for the Lions if he does not perform up to standard.

Williams, who says that the current trip to South Africa is very much his last Lions tour, believes he can force his way back into the Test selection frame with the form that saw him win numerous accolades last year - including IRB Player of the Year, Six Nations player of the year and finishing as the tournament’s top try scorer.

However, should he fail to fire - as he has done all tour - Williams knows he will never wear the Lions shirt again.

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