Bulls flank Jacques Potgieter will make his debut for South Africa when they take on England at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
SuperSport
Potgieter was included in a starting 15 that shows three changes from the one that beat England in the second Test of the Castle Incoming Tour. Willem Alberts (flank) and Pat Lambie (fullback) were not declared fit for the Test.
Potgieter replaces Alberts, Gio Aplon has been selected at fullback for Lambie and Wynand Olivier comes in at inside centre for Frans Steyn, who is getting married.
There are two changes on the bench. Flyhalf Elton Jantjies has been selected in a Test squad for the first time and will earn his Bok debut if he gets game time, while Ryan Kankowski takes over from Keegan Daniel.
“Injuries have forced us to make a number of changes, which is never ideal, but this provides an opportunity for players like Gio, Wynand and Jacques to put up their hands,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
“Gio is our third fullback of the series, but he’s experienced and has been part of our planning. Wynand came on as a replacement in both of the first two Tests and knows our game plan, while Jacques has impressed this year as a very strong ball carrier – hopefully he can continue with the good work Willem has done in the last fortnight.”
Meyer explained the changes on the bench as follows: “Jacques has not played for a while and we felt Ryan is the right option for this game if he needs to take over from Jacques, with his explosive running. Keegan did very well in the first two Tests, but for this match we felt that Ryan is a better option.
“Elton comes in to provide cover at flyhalf and is a very good goal kicking option, something we will miss with Frans not available.
“Bjorn Basson still covers all three positions in the back trio, JP Pietersen or Bryan Habana can play outside centre and Jean will move to inside centre if needed, so we are covered in all positions in the backline.”
Springbok team: Gio Aplon, JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers (c), Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies, Jacques Potgieter, Marcell Coetzee, Juandre Kruger, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtwarira.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Werner Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Ryan Kankowski, Ruan Pienaar, Elton Jantjies, Bjorn Basson.
Personally I’m a bit worried about the inclusion of Jacques Potgieter…. the energy is there, the will is there, the talent is there in abundance, the aggro and determination we can’t fault… but his technique in the tackles around the fringes is very suspect.
Then I am worried about the inclusion at No 12 starting spot of Wynand Olivier as well. Solid player… but not the man he was… and he’s frankly had his chances in the Green & Gold!
Hope Morné Steyn worked ALL WEEK on his kicking and reverts to his old trusty boots… we need him to fire 100% at the posts. His general play has markedly improved, he’s been solid in defence and attacking the gain line and distributing the ball well… that all has been exceptional, but damn man his kicking to posts has taken a dive this season!
Goeie span, go bokke !
I liked him from the moment I first saw him playing for EP. He’s done ok for the Bulls. Wish him all the best. Wynand on the other hand . . . But, I support the Boks, so therefore have to support whichever players they send out. Looking forward to a 3-0 a**kicking! (And for Ireland to carry on from last week . . . )
@ grootblousmile:
I have the same hope about Morne – I’d hate to lose a game merely because our kicker wasn’t on song that particular game! If your kicker is having an off day you’re faced with a tough decision as captain and coach – take him off and hope someone else does better and that you don’t shatter his confidence, or, leave him and risk losing the game becasue the kicks keep being missed. Really tough decision.
4: ek sou Joe Pietersen op heelagter gesit het, sodat hy by Morne kan oorneem as die skoppe nie wil deurgaan nie. Maar as Morne nou sukkel, sal Jantjes hom seker vervang. Morne en WO onder groot druk om te perform.
@ bdb:
Dink jy dat die soort druk, goed is vir speelers?
6: soos HM self gesê het – druk op steenkool bring die diamant uit, hopelik kan hul albei die beste na vore bring Saterdag. As MS se skopvoet weer regkom, hopelik met sy ou swart tokse, gaan hy ‘n nog beter losskakel wees, want sy lynskoppe, verdediging en aanval word elke wedstryd beter.
Groter druk op WO om die geleentheid te gebruik om te bewys hy is ons 3de beste senter in die land, volgens HM wat sy vertroue in hom gestel het.
die man laat my aan schalk burger dink,hy hol met swaaiende arms en bene in die eerste ou in wat hy sien,skud sy kop dat sy lang hare vreeslik woes waai…….en val dan.
8 @ smallies72:
Hahahaha
He’s got talent though… just needs to be guided in the right direction
Slegte nuus vir Bulle: CJ Stander het geteken vir Munster, sluit by hul aan vanaf 1 November.
Ai jai jai, is al wat ek kan sê.
10@ bdb:
Ja bdb nou net dit gelees op ander plek en kom kyk wat se die ouens hier. What a pity for Bulls, sounds like he was really doing very well, at least if he is going in November only then we have him for the rest of the Super 15 and Curre Cup, which will give time for the other guys to get introduced in his place slowly. Think he must play as much as possible in the Super 15 because he is so good, won’t like to see him just pushed aside straight away now he is leaving. At least there are lots of other good young loosies at the Bulls who are similar to him and may even become better, like Arno Botha, Jean Cook etc, I know he may be a different type of player but Daniel Adonga must also be given a chance to make the step up.
10@ bdb:
From the Bulls site it seems like it was ‘all about the money’ with CJ getting a better offer from Munster, or is this maybe part of a longer term plan of him to try and emigrate anyway. Wonder what the man’s long term plans are, if he stays in Ireland for 3 years does that then allow him to be picked for Ireland, or maybe they will find an Irish granny of his and get him in sooner, certainly hope not for the Springboks. I know Mr Meyer is not just going to hand out caps left right and centre but I wonder if CJ would maybe have been selected for the end of year tour, and if so where does this move of his leave him…
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