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
boksmashoffice says...
over the moon about Goosen. Still can't believe that he is playing Kirschner at 15. I would play Taute there. Atleast he will not get a nosebleed when he steps into the attack line to attack. Still feel sorry for Lambie. Maybe he needs to play for the bulls to get a look in. Agree with most posters. We are moving in the right direction. Lets see how creative our backs are. Can't wait for saturday. Go Bokke
Posted 16:54 26th September 2012
philipjfry says...
Let's not start sucking each other off just yet, but I'm seriously looking forward to the Goose running out on Saturday. I feel for M. Steyn, but he must have know it was coming sooner or later. And he is in good company; the ABs dropped Joe Rokocoko when he lost form.
Posted 16:39 26th September 2012
SACanuck says...
Finally some light at the end of the tunnel. Still a long way to go though to get a #1 team. Still think 9, 15 and 13 need to be worked on, but hopefully HM has seen the light at last. Hope Goosen has a great game as I am sure there must be a lot of mad bulls fans not happy that Steyn is dropped.
Posted 16:15 26th September 2012
olepete says...
Really good bench - hope Jantjies gets a chance to show himself.
Posted 15:38 26th September 2012
melkdave says...
Well finally a step in the right direction,from HM.Would have prefered Lambie at 15 and J.dJ at 13 with F.Styen at 12 (if fit) myself.Hm at last though seems to be getting ,that it takes more than kicking the ball high ,chasing and hoping for turnovers ,and bulldozing through players these days to win test matches consistently.Also echo others in its a better bench ,than previously seen.Now just need G.Aplon in the squad instead of Z.Kirchner,as his more creatative imo,and cover for wing./FB
Posted 14:05 26th September 2012
Maxgzy says...
He's play a scrum half at wing because he's better there... If you'd watched the super 14 in 2009 and 2010 when he was crazy good on the wing, you'd know
Posted 13:34 26th September 2012
letsgoboks says...
Nice one
Posted 13:20 26th September 2012
snoekie1959 says...
too little, too late.
on the faster loftus serface, would have played alberts and ezsebeth @ lock and brought in a faster loosie.
aplon at FB ...still MIA?
Posted 13:20 26th September 2012
zambokke says...
Lambie in, Kirchner on bench. Quite an exciting team though.
Posted 13:12 26th September 2012
WimblBok says...
Definitely a step in the right direction. Just need to figure out why he insists on playing a scrumhalf on the wing and why he hasn't used Lambie at fullback.
Posted 13:01 26th September 2012
hobo says...
GOOOOOOOOSEEEEEE!
Full marks to Meyer, completely the right call.
Posted 12:56 26th September 2012
masar says...
by saying morne is a "fighter" he's admitting he sucks... finally!
Posted 12:50 26th September 2012
Carpelone says...
I do hope that Pienaar will have the kicking duties, so that Goosen will be free to play.
It will be funny to see how Poms will pronounce Goosen.
Posted 12:31 26th September 2012
KevRadstock says...
There will be a lot of people happy now Steyn as been dropped! Overrated anyway, his kicking was his main point and that was only if he was having a good day.
Posted 12:28 26th September 2012
Carpelone says...
Fish
You read my mind. I would add JdV as well.
To be honest, a step in the right direction methinks.
Posted 12:28 26th September 2012
scot_rsa says...
It's in broken play that Goosen will make a big difference, too often quick ball has come from a ruck only to be kicked or shipped on quickly and laterally by the no10. Goosen will probe and get the backline going forward. From first phase I still expect Meyer to force him to kick more than he'd like though, but executed well there is no reason this shouldn't work. Tough for Goosen at Loftus but he's a very able and confident lad. Much better looking team and, importantly, the best bench we've seen for a long time. Really quite excited now!
Posted 12:01 26th September 2012
JayStarr says...
Lilililililililililililililililililililililililililililililiiiiiiiiii,,,,....!
Posted 11:57 26th September 2012
Ulrich says...
Would have been better I think to have JDV at 12 (merely because he is captain) and Taute at 13. Otherwise F. Steyn at 12 and Taute 13 with Lambie at 15
Posted 11:54 26th September 2012
FISH says...
now he just needs to get rid of kirchner
Posted 11:51 26th September 2012
markmassive says...
When this boy came on he looked like a fly half who looked like he knew what he was doing.... not just kicking the ball in the opposition 22.... Step in the right direction
Posted 11:47 26th September 2012