Coach Peter de Villiers and the selectors have made six changes, including two positional, to the Springbok starting XV that faced Italy last week for Saturday’s final test of 2009 at Croke Park in Dublin against Ireland.

The Official SA Rugby web site says the following:

In the front row, Tendai Mtawarira returns to the starting XV in place of Wian du Preez and BJ Botha starts at tighthead with captain John Smit moving to hooker in the place of Adriaan Strauss.

Victor Matfield returns to the starting XV, replacing Andries Bekker, Schalk Burger is back at flank with Danie Rossouw moving from the side of the scrum to number eight. There is one change to the backline with Wynand Olivier starting at 12 in place of the injured Adi Jacobs.

There are four more changes on the bench – hooker Bismarck du Plessis and prop CJ van der Linde return from injury, whilst Irish-based centre Jean de Villiers is recalled and flank Dewald Potgieter is included in the Test 22 for the first time.

Smit will equal Percy Montgomery’s record as the most capped Springbok against Ireland (six caps), while Jaque Fourie will equal Jean de Villers’ record as the most capped Springbok centre (43 Tests).

The Springbok team is: (test caps in brackets):

15 Zane Kirchner (3)
14 JP Pietersen (32)
13 Jaque Fourie (53)
12 Wynand Olivier (26)
11 Bryan Habana (56)
10 Morne Steyn (11)
9 Fourie du Preez (54)
8 Danie Rossouw (45)
7 Schalk Burger (54)
6 Heinrich Brüssow (12)
5 Victor Matfield (91)
4 Bakkies Botha (65)
3 BJ Botha (18)
2 John Smit (92) – captain
1 Tendai Mtawarira (21)

Reserves:

16 Bismarck du Plessis (31)
17 CJ van der Linde (57)
18 Andries Bekker (2)
19 Jean Deysel (1)
20 Dewald Potgieter (uncapped)
21 Ruan Pienaar (36)
22 Jean de Villiers (54)

596 Responses to Springbok Team to face Paddies

  • 451

    443 – Puma

    Wales would klap Scotland if they play now.

  • 452

    Thanks Carol – I’m waiting

  • 453

    448 – Irish

    Yes my dog is a Bitch, Great dane, beatifull animal. But i’m not sure we are talking of the same dog here!

  • 454

    Puma
    With the Frogs kit will either be close or a blow out – just never sure which !

    Irish Devil
    Now, you may be into the off game of “hide & seek” with rubber gloves … but I am afraid it is not my cup of tea ! 😯

  • 455

    445 446 447

    Snoek – Why does it seem so – just excited cause – hmmmm I can be

    Puma – our bitches are nothing like yours i know.

    RP – always enjoyed a wet T-shirt – especially if white – not supporting England though.

  • 456

    #450 I guess it is Carol..lol. I feed it , but it catches a helluva lot of birds as well! I will send GBS a pic of it lying next to my Jack Russel and ask him to forward it to you two so that you can have an idea of its size!

  • 457

    @453 – Oh dear! Got the wrong end of the straw again. 😳

  • 458

    Afternoon All……..

  • 459

    @454 RP – yeah not into tea either – better things to drink 😆

  • 460

    Irish 455
    I am picturing you in a wet, white T Shirt … not all that appealing I must confess 🙁

  • 461

    Mizz Trip E 😀

  • 462

    @458 – Tripples – where have though been my lady…being gunned down, stripped naked and … oh that would really be nice…

  • 463

    460
    Bwaaaaaahahahahahahahaha scary

  • 464

    Hallo tripples, how’s things PTA?

  • 465

    Hi Tripples, quite a party going on here this afternoon!! Glad you could make it!

  • 466

    @460 RP – Well stop hinting – I will just take the T-shirt off. Just ask don’t hint

  • 467

    462
    had to work for achange hehehehe, cant wait for tomorrows game…boks are going to give the Irish a paddywacking!!!!
    😉

  • 468

    464 weather starting to act up, in for one mega storm, nice and hot though…just loooooove summer

    465 Hi there, I saw this, wanted to read and then stopped, too many posts….

  • 469

    12:15 – Oh how many more hours – the crew are in court and the lord is online – when the cats are out (big ones like in Africa) the mice will play.

  • 470

    Carol – What are we drinking? You did say a party. I know what GBS will be drinking.

  • 471

    @468 EEE – don’t bother – nothing really that interesting. Its a rugger blog site and these people are being distracted big time. Tis the nerves for tomorrow…CANT WAIT

  • 472

    470 Ice cold Castle is ALL that works in this weather

  • 473

    Puma – I have been considering the Wales v Scotland debate, it could go one of three ways, Wales could win, loose or draw!! 😉

    I think Wales have the edge, Scotland put in a great performance then they fall over again!

  • 474

    Castle sounds like a queens’ hideout!

  • 475

    468 @ Trips

    Had a big hale storm here by us this morning. It’s on the way north to you guys.

  • 476

    also think wales have the edge over Scotland the brave…

    Irish….nerves on your side maybe but not on mine!!! hehehe

  • 477

    @473 – Carol – how did you figure that one? Jeez you bright today.

  • 478

    Polla – would love to see your cat and jack russell together.
    I have 3 jack russels….little devils! Two fluffy and cute and one that looks like a meerkat!!

  • 479

    475 dankie man….we have been having temps in the lower 30’s the whole week, it has been lovely, I hate winter and the cold

  • 480

    454 – RP, Think ABs will be up for this game.

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