Johan Goosen: First start for Boks
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Johan Goosen will start his first Test for the Springboks when he runs out at fly-half against Australia at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
The inclusion of the 20-year-old Cheetahs pivot in the place of Morné Steyn is one of three changes to the starting XV from the Springbok team that played New Zealand in Dunedin.
Goosen is one of the six players in the matchday 22 that are 21-years-old or younger - the others being Eben Etzebeth, Marcell Coetzee, Pat Lambie, Elton Jantjies and Jaco Taute.
The Western Province lock pair of Etzebeth and Andries Bekker will start in the middle row. Etzebeth is back in the Springbok team after missing the previous Test because of a suspension.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, in announcing his side to face Australia on Wednesday, also made four changes on the bench, where Coenie Oosthuizen, Flip van der Merwe, Jantjies and Taute have been included.
Jantjies and Taute have not played Test rugby for the Springboks, while Oosthuizen is back from injury. Van der Merwe and Bekker swap places in the matchday 22.
"I've maintained from the outset that I won't rush Johan, but I feel he is now ready to start a Test for South Africa and I'm excited to see what he can bring," said Meyer.
"Morné (Steyn), in the last four seasons, has played close to 140 matches at Test, Super Rugby and Absa Currie Cup level and probably deserves a break, but this also provides a great opportunity for Johan, a player I rate very highly.
"Morné is a quality player and a fighter and I know he will bounce back."
Commenting on the changes at lock, Meyer said: "It's good to have Eben back with us. Flip played very well in Dunedin, but he's been struggling with an injury this week and that is why we decided to start with him on the bench. I also thought Andries did very well when he came on against New Zealand and he is an excellent jumper in the lineout as well."
Frans Steyn, who has been struggling with an ankle injury, has been bracketed with Taute in the midfield. Should Steyn not pass a fitness test by Friday, Taute will start and Juan de Jongh will come in on the bench.
The Springbok starting XV, with Frans Steyn at inside centre, boasts a combined total of 468 Test caps, with 314 of those belonging to the backs and 154 to the forwards.
Meyer said the Springboks were looking forward to Saturday's Test and realised the importance of the match.
"It's great to be back home in South Africa after three tough matches on the road. We were not happy with the results in Mendoza, Perth or Dunedin and we know how big the Test at Loftus Versfeld is on Saturday," said Meyer.
"The Australians will be tough opponents on Saturday. We've now lost our last five Tests against them and need to turn this around."
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jean de Villiers (c), 12 Frans Steyn/Jaco Taute, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Marcell Coetzee, 20 Elton Jantjies, 21 Jaco Taute/Juan de Jongh, 22 Pat Lambie.
Date: Saturday, 29 September
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17:00 (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Greg Garner (England)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Comments
firepower says...
he looks like Quade Cooper to me lol. or he's another QC? lmao
Posted 19:22 27th September 2012
philipjfry says...
@sandal: I meant to add a 'wink' but I couldn't bring myself to do it.
Posted 16:44 27th September 2012
philipjfry says...
@sandal: You're right, it is incidental.
Posted 16:39 27th September 2012
Dylbull says...
@kappelange I hope that was a joke... Taute is a better player, simple as that. It's got nothing to do with the colour of his skin
Posted 11:08 27th September 2012
daibok says...
Kappelange - I dont think it's racism just illogical. Remember the one to gain is Kirchner.
Posted 11:04 27th September 2012
bloemboy says...
@sandal, I agree with you. Seems like all english sporting legends should be able to pronounce Goosen because they were probably born in SA anyway! =)
Posted 10:52 27th September 2012
kappelange says...
Taute just leapfrogs De Jong in the pecking order. More racism guys
Posted 07:07 27th September 2012
Realbull says...
Mornč still remains a legend! Rest will do him good,he played a lot of rugby the past 3 years. Think physically and mentally tired. But he will bounce back with a bang! Remember Morne Styen still leading point scorer in springbok history and second highest point scorer in super rugby. The man is class and will recliam his no 10 spot for boks in future!
Posted 07:03 27th September 2012
NHSaints says...
Finally...just...Finally. Justice has at least in part been done.
Posted 06:55 27th September 2012
dropkick says...
Off to the Tab now to put a bundle on Boks for the four try bonus point.
Posted 03:50 27th September 2012
sukkadoits says...
Goosen is gonna give me nightmares for the next 10 years I believe, and I mean that in the most complimentary way.
Posted 03:06 27th September 2012
sandal says...
@philipjfry
It's incidental, but I believe Rokocoko "lost form" because, with Sivivatu's emergence, he was played out of position on the right wing.
Point acknowledged, however.
As for Morne Steyn, I believe he has been much maligned. The bandwagon has become a tumbrill for the likes of Steyn, Ali Williams and Weepu. I don't know much about Goosen, except for the high regard South Africans and commentators hold him in. His inclusion is an interesting prospect for the Boks' game.
Posted 01:28 27th September 2012
sandal says...
@Carpelone
Should they mispronounce it you can be sure it will be deliberate.
Posted 01:15 27th September 2012
mfblions says...
finally the rugby gods have answered our prayers... lol... Steyn out now just need Lambie in for Zane
Posted 23:45 26th September 2012
UBA05 says...
Wow! It really must be party time for bok fans if all the previous articles on SA selections this championship are anything to go by. With the exception of the guy in the bok last line of defence. Hehe.
Just a question to all saffas, what do you think of the sharks Paul jordaan? Was without a doubt the sharks best player in the s15 final and it seems to me atleast, that he is very dangerous everytime he touches the ball in the currie cup. Very fast and lots of x-factor. Yet i've never heard his name mentioned for bokke selection. Am i missing something???
Posted 21:31 26th September 2012
Demers says...
So much more interest in the game for both countries now that both teams have changed FHs. Also, Timani and Douglas versus B and E will be interesting in the loose. But the Ws front row is a weak point with Moore out. But then Polota Nau, if fit, will put in some kamikaze tackles.
Posted 21:03 26th September 2012
JayStarr says...
@ melkdave: Couldn't have said it better myself..!
My comment is melkdave's comment. (I'm annexing it).
Posted 20:32 26th September 2012
snoekie1959 says...
aplon injured....kirchnr spot now secure?
Posted 19:45 26th September 2012
bloemboy says...
Lambie for Kirchner, Brussouw for Bekker moving Alberts to lock, Coenie in for du Plessis (OK so he needs some more time after injury), de Jongh for de Villiers (or even better, Jaques Fourie) Give Coetzee, Taute, Burden and Sarel Pretorius a decent run of 30min in the second half and we should be in serious business.
Squad needs some addition and deletions, but certainly moving in the right direction.
Very sad to see Greyling isnt there!! What did he do to deserve this? Surely he paid his Bulls subs.....
Posted 18:03 26th September 2012
Dylbull says...
Very excited to see this boy play a full game in the green and gold...
I am concerned that it may be a bit too soon, but I hope the older heads look out for him and that he is given time. I am not a huge Piennaar fan but I think he is theright scrum-half to partner Goosen right now, he will take alot of the pressure than what Hougaard would have, however, I do feel that once Goosen has found his feet him and Hougaard could form a lethal partnership, Goosen's style will open up gaps around the fringes for Hougaard to exploit, I think Steyn played to deep for us to see Hougaard at his best.
And I can't help but think that this was Meyer's plan all along, no point in playing Lambie if Goosen was eventually going to take over anyway. I applaud Meyer on making this choice.
I do also think HM has been told by SARU that there must be a certain number of players of colour in the team which is why Kirchner is there, I reckon once JP Pieterson is fit, we could see him in and Zane out with Lambie moving into the number 15 jersey. That's my conspiracy theory anyway.
Posted 17:58 26th September 2012