Here’s the side which will take the field on Sunday against the poms

15. Percy Montgomery
14. Ashwin Willemse
13. Wynand Olivier
12. Jean de Villiers
11. Bryan Habana
10. Butch James
9. Ricky Januarie
8. Danie Rossouw
7. Juan Smith
6. Schalk Burger
5. Victor Matfield
4. Bakkies Botha
3. BJ Botha
2. John Smit (captain)
1. Deon Carstens
Reserves:
16. Guthro Steenkamp
17. Gary Botha
18.CJ van der Linde
19.Johann Muller
20. Pierre Spies
21. Ruan Pienaar
22. Francois Steyn

The side Jake White picked for the first test is an excellent combination of youth and experience. Notable absentees like Fourie du Preez(shoulder) , Jacques Fourie(groin), JP Pietersen(hand) and Andre Pretorius(hamstring) were not considered due to injury but are expected to make their return to the squad in the next few weeks. Their replacements will surely relish the opportunity to make their mark and stake claims for the world cup squad.

It looks like Jake took a page out of the Rassie Erasmus’ tactical manual when he announced his reserves for the first test, notable that there are two props (and five forwards in total) on the bench, a clear indication that White wants to use his bench as a powerful weapon this year. Both backs on the bench can be seen as utility players that can play anywhere in the back line.

The combinations White picked in the starting XV is an indication that he has not made up his mind on who his best players are in certain positions and how these new combinations will fit in with his game plan. It will be interesting to see how these players combine on Saturday and when Jake will introduce his impact players.

A welcome sight is the return of winger Ashwin Willemse who returns to the test arena for the first time since 2004. Willemse, who won the three top rugby awards in SA during 2003, has been plagued with injury and has only played a few minutes of Super 14 rugby this season. White did not hesitate to include him in the test line up stating that “Willemse passed all fitness and medical test and that it is only a matter of time before he does what we all know he can do”. Hopefully Willemse will get through Saturday with flying colours and prove that he is still good enough to compete at international level.

Here is wishing the Boks all the best for Saturday.

The upcoming Springbok squad to tour to Romania next month has also been announced and contains a few players that have played test rugby for SA already. The squad is: Heini Adams, Marius Delport, Hilton Lobberts, Bandise Maku, Wilhelm Steenkamp(all Bulls), Kabamba Floors, Bevin Fortuin, Jonathan Mokuena(all Cheetas), Louis Ludik, Jaco Pretorius, Solly Tybilika, Heinke van der Merwe, Jano Vermaak(all Lions), Ashton Constant(Pumas), Brad Barritt, Nikolai Blignaut, Ryan Kankowski, Odwa Ndugane, Sangoni Mxoli, Howard Noble(all Sharks), Schalk Brits, Tonderai Chavanga, Peter Grant, Morgan Newman, Ross Skeate, Eddie Andrews(all WP). Coach: Peter de Villiers. Assistant Coach: Jerome Paarwater. Team manager: Peter Maimane

The side will play against the world cup teams from Romania and Georgia and also the Argentina “A” side.

Author: Maverick