Springbok coach Peter de Villiers made ten changes to the starting XV to face the British & Irish Lions in the third and final Test at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.
De Villiers included only one uncapped player in the starting team when he named Vodacom Blue Bulls player Zane Kirchner at fullback.
Morné Steyn and Chiliboy Ralepelle will both make their first starts for the Springboks at flyhalf and hooker respectively, while the other newcomers to the starting line-up are Johann Muller, Heinrich Brüssow, Ryan Kankowski, Wynand Olivier, Jaque Fourie, Jongi Nokwe and Odwa Ndungane.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to play against the Lions and we respect them so much, that we wanted to give all our players a chance to take them on,” said De Villiers.
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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.
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