Fly-half: Pat Lambie
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South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has named Pat Lambie at fly-half for their opening November Test against Ireland at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
The 22-year-old's inclusion at pivot in the place of the injured Johan Goosen is one of only three changes to the team that started in the Springboks' last Test, against New Zealand in Soweto. The other two are also forced by injury.
JP Pietersen returns at right wing while Juandré Kruger takes over at lock, respectively for Bryan Habana and Andries Bekker, who were both ruled out of the tour because of injury.
"I'm excited to see what Pat can bring to the team," said Springbok coach Meyer.
"He played very well in the last few weeks of the Absa Currie Cup and hopefully he can bring that momentum with him on Saturday.
"It's also good to have JP back. He's had a great season and will want to finish the season on a high. At lock, there has been strong competition for the No 5 jersey all season and now Juandré gets an opportunity again."
For the first time, the Springboks have named an eight-man replacement bench, in line with the new laws that determine a full front-row of two specialist props and a hooker have to be selected.
Returning to Springbok duty for the first time since 2008 is Schalk Brits, who will start on the bench next to CJ van der Linde and Pat Cilliers. Should Brits make an appearance, it will be his first Test for South Africa since 2008 while Van der Linde has not appeared for the team since the 2011 World Cup.
"Schalk is an explosive player who can bring something special off the bench," said Meyer. "CJ is very experienced and knows the conditions here quite well, as he played for Leinster for two seasons," said Meyer.
Meyer said the match would be a major Test in trying conditions for his young team. A temperature of around five degrees is forecast for Saturday afternoon, while winds and a 25 per cent chance of showers are also predicted.
"I've said from the outset that I'd like to see which of the players can handle the Northern Hemisphere conditions on this tour, as it will be the same for the Rugby World Cup in 2015," said Meyer.
"We'll be facing an Ireland team that is never an easy opponent in Dublin. The Springboks have only won one of their last four Tests here and since they lost at Aviva Stadium against South Africa in November 2010, they have recorded a number of good victories at their home ground.
"They will also be desperate to get back to winning ways after winning two of their eight Tests this season, which, to my mind, is not a true reflection of how good the Irish really are. But we're in a similar situation and would like to start this tour on a positive note."
Furthermore, Meyer confirmed today that Leinster prop Heinke van der Merwe has been called up to the Springbok squad for the duration of the tour. He played in his only Test for South Africa against Wales in November 2007, and he toured with the Springboks at the end of the 2009 season.
Gurthrö Steenkamp, who joined the squad on Tuesday evening, is struggling with a light niggle. Van der Merwe's call-up provides extra cover at loosehead prop.
"Heinke has played for South Africa before and is based in Dublin, making it easy for him to join the squad. I've been following his career and he has been playing well for Leinster, who are the Heineken Cup champions," added Meyer.
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Juan de Jongh, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.
Date: Saturday, November 10
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), Luke Pierce (England)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
Comments
flyman says...
How on earth can Steyn be picked at al?? Why is Jantjies not on the bench?
I think Qwede Mantash's comments about HM are spot on!
Posted 05:34 09th November 2012
rugbyphile says...
Hougaard was shocking against the Wallabies even though SA won easily--he is an automatic selection in the SA side it seems (a Bulls player). De Jongh was outstanding in the Currie Cup --but old waddling slow forward pass de Villiers is an automatic choice. Zane Kirchner looks ok against weak opposition--but goes missing completely when the game is tough--another automatic choice and a Bulls player. Pienaar is another who is fine at state level but slow and ineffective at international level. Let's see how they go this weekend-----
Posted 01:39 09th November 2012
RonManager says...
@bloemboy
Ages asof Nov 2012...
Pienaar: 28
Pretorius: 28
Hougaard: 24
Posted 17:40 08th November 2012
jonesy2 says...
good to see. quality player, sort of a berrick barnes clone.
Posted 11:19 08th November 2012
Sheridan says...
I've an awful feeling that pack is gonna bash us up and down the park....
Posted 10:51 08th November 2012
JayStarr says...
Thank the bloody sanity of humanity... FINALLY Lambie is at 10! Now for Juan de bloody Jongh! Just what exactly has Jaco Taute done at centre that in any way out-does the plethora of incredible things Juan de Jongh has done...? And that includes for the Springboks..! Bloody hell HM, some people are culturally different from you - get over it and just pick them for the players they are ! Jaco Taute is a very talented rugby player, but Juan de Jongh has proven himself 10 times more at centre than Taute has. And still Zane bloody Kirchner at fullback... while by far the best fullback in SA right now (Louis Ludik) is not even in the squad... Will HM ever grow some balls and just pick the BEST players!? PdV might have been whack, but at least he had the balls to pick the best players (well, apart from John Smit)...
@ Preest: Right now the SA public are picking better sides than HM is, so maybe he SHOULD listen to us... We finally have Morné Steyn out of the 10 jersey, now for Zane Kirchner...
Anyway, don't worry, Juan de Jongh is in such good form, if HM actually gives him more than 5 minutes on the field this time, it would be enough to out-shine Jaco Taute. Trust me. (It seems like that's the only way to get into HM's squad - make him look like a fool).
@ Kiwikev: Yes PL can, but I think fly-half is his best position - his talents are wasted at fullback. Don't you think?
@ olepete: Agree completely. Jantjies deserves to be there. Still Steyn gets a spot based on past performances !
@ carpelone: Bresler shmesler. He's over-rated. He's just a dumb player - just like Flip vd Merwe. I don't like either one of them. Clever locks are hard to come by. But I think Kruger is one.
@ daibok: I have to agree. With those 50/50 selections you mentioned, HM went for all the players who are culturally more like him. Coinsidence? I think not.
Posted 01:30 08th November 2012
boksmashoffice says...
Great to see Lambie at 10. I would like to see Rhule get game time on the wing. This should be a development tour. Pick the core guys that you will back to take SA through to 2015 world cup and surround them with young fellas.
That means pack your bags JDV,
Posted 21:00 07th November 2012
philipjfry says...
kappelange: 'Ive said it before and i'll say it again HM is a racist. Just look at him, he even looks like one.'
Words fail me.
Posted 19:23 07th November 2012
carpelone says...
What about Bresler?
Bloemboy
Steyn has neither the pace nor the defensive nous for a great 13. My bet is that JP will soon settle there, along with Steyn at12.
Anyway, it is about time to deliver. On this forum, we are always world beater, the last results do not say that.
Posted 18:25 07th November 2012
bloemboy says...
Good side on the whole though I would have dearly loved to see Habana and JP on the field together. The Taute debate will carry on for a while and I for one would like to see him at 15 and JdJ at 13 to see how the game shapes with them creatively. I would also seriously consider Alberts at 5 with Coetzee starting at 7. Long term though, this side will have few survivors when we get to the RWC in 2015.
Kirchner will make way for Taute / Joe Peterson
JP will stay
Taute will make way for Steyn at 13
JdV will make way for Rhule
Hougaard out, Le Roux or Habana in
Lambie or Goosen at 10
Pienaar out and Pretorius/ Hougaard in
Vermeulen will stay
Alberts / Coetzee / Burger / Smith will be a battle royal for the spot
Brussouw / Louw / Kolisi and another battle royal
Bekker
Etzbeth, no question
Oosthuisen will take over at 3
Bizmark, no question
Beast / Cilliers to battle for 1
And that is just based on the players there at present, most of whom are under 25 years old. More to follow so SA have a real opportunity to build a side capable of ruling the world for many years to come.
Now, who will be the Coach by then? My money is on Rassie Erasmus (or at least my hopes are)
Posted 17:11 07th November 2012
Spartacus says...
If they run the ball Boks will smash Ireland. If they get dragged into a forwards battle then they could run into a bit of trouble without anyone experienced enough in the pack.
Posted 16:34 07th November 2012
kappelange says...
@daibok
ive said it before and i'll say it again HM is a racist. Just look at him, he even looks like one.
The boks will lose this game, they've struggled to beat Ireland at home in the past. The sad thing is, is that when we lose HM is gonna blame it on Lambie and all the other guys that can be replaced by a Bulls player.
I'm looking forward to seeing that Marcus Wentzel guy purely for the reason that i dont know who he is.
Posted 16:12 07th November 2012
olepete says...
This team should win easily. Pity Ireland have lost so many through injury. Would like to have seen Jantjies on the bench instead of guess-who.
Posted 14:59 07th November 2012
daibok says...
You have to wonder about transformation with these selections.
Taute instead of De Jongh
Hougaard instead of Mvovo
Steyn instead of Janties
Each of the above exclusions is better or more suited than the inclusion. Also, is Chilliboy fit?
Posted 14:15 07th November 2012
letsgoboks says...
.....
Taute will prove himself. Not to discredit JDJ but I think Taute can play more clever rugby and create better situations. He just needs to settle.
Lambie is starting at 10... because the other flyhalves are injured, out of form. Simple. His role in the team has been to cover several positions off the bench. HM has been clear about it from the start... Why is it so difficult for the bok supporters to accept this. I guess we will now find out if he is an international no.10. The poor boy has been so hyped by sharks supporters you would think he was a Dan Carter/Andrew Mehrtens/Stephen Larkham/Carlos Spencer hybrid. Lets see how he does...
Kirtchner has not put a foot wrong. Lets drop the issue.
Now onto a more positive note. This Bok team will perform magic on that field. Can only see a win. Great to have JP back.
Posted 14:09 07th November 2012
melkdave says...
Its a very strong team imo,but i would have Taute at FB,and JdJ at 13 myself as others have said,and Janties on the bench instead of M.Styen..Looking forward to seeing how Lambie does at 10,hopefully he will do well,and prove to HM its between him and Goosen long term for FH.Backrow also i feel will cause Ireland alot of problems without Ferris or SOB avilable .Should be a real fire cracker of a match imo.
Posted 13:56 07th November 2012
Kiwikev says...
Hope PL does well; I rate him highly and he can cover multiple positions...
Posted 13:41 07th November 2012
ManWarrior says...
Great team except...Zane Kirchner and Jaco Taute. WHY can De Jong not get in at 13??? Taute is inexperienced at Springbok level and De Jong comes off a good season and knows De Villiers. Geo Aplon has NEVER let the Springboks down and surely he is better than Zane??? I'm glad that Schalk Brits gets a run. It will be interesting to see what he has to offer. The farward pack is the business! Just look at our loose trio...Go Bokke!!!
Posted 13:27 07th November 2012
APV1 says...
Does his mum know he's out playing that rough game, rugby? He may be bloody good, but he still only looks about 12.
That aside, if BdP was fit and starting, who would you have on the bench as cover - Strauss or Brits?
Posted 13:23 07th November 2012
Jeff says...
No surprises in the forwards...pretty much what we all expected.
But why is Meyer persisting with Taute at 13 when he is NOT the best we have??
Just last week he was giving lots of praise to Juan de Jongh then makes him sit on the bench for a make-shift centre who is better at fullback??
I'm not one of those who likes to cry about Zane...he rarely stuffs up and pretty reliable although he is no Dagg(no other country has anyone close to a Dagg infact).
I'm pretty sure Morne is gonna come on at flyhalf and Lambie will be moved to fullback...99% sure.
If and when JDJ comes on(for about 3minutes) he will Taute's place and Taute will go rest and won't move to fullback.
The most frustrating thing with Meyer is that he says one thing and does another.
Got to feel for someone like Jantjies who is probably gonna get 20minutes or less on this tour,
and someone like Vermaak who won't even make the matchday team once.
And by the way...I think JDJ is damn good centre, unlike most people here. Yes he might be a bit inconsistent but defensively very few are better, he is not slow, although he likes to hold on to the ball(hey, which SA centre doesn't? Frans Steyn is worse), runs great lines, and when he is on form he can turn a game around, just ask teams like the Blues and Waratahs..or even Wales...he made it look all too easy against the Sharks.
Posted 13:15 07th November 2012