Gurthrö Steenkamp
South Africa’s Player of the Year in 2010, Gurthrö Steenkamp, will make his 50th Test appearance for the Springboks when they take on Wales at Growthpoint Kings Park in Durban on Saturday (kick-off 17:00 SA Time, 15:00 GMT).
Steenkamp has been included in the starting line-up for the first Welsh Test in one of six changes to the match-day squad from the team which comprehensively beat the World XV last weekend in Cape Town, four of which are positional shifts.
Cornal Hendricks, who shone for the Springboks last weekend at DHL Newlands, will make his Test debut on Saturday, while his provincial team mate from the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, the uncapped Lood de Jager, has been selected on the bench.
The two changes in the backline are at inside centre, where Jan Serfontein will earn his first Test start for South Africa, and scrumhalf, where Fourie du Preez will start with Ruan Pienaar on the bench alongside Tendai Mtawarira, who has swapped places with Steenkamp.
The 32-year-old Steenkamp, who made his international debut on 27 November 2004 against Scotland in Edinburgh, will become the 29th Springbok to reach 50 Test caps. He will also become the sixth prop to achieve this feat behind Os du Randt, CJ van der Linde, Ollie le Roux, Jannie du Plessis and Mtawarira.
“This is a wonderful achievement for Gurthrö and I’m very proud of him,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
“He has been playing Test rugby for a decade and is vastly experienced at all levels of the game. Gurthrö always gives everything he has for the Springbok jersey and it’s always good to see commitment and hard work pay off.”
Meyer was also very happy for Hendricks and De Jager, who have been two of the Toyota Cheetahs’ stars this season.
“To make one’s Test debut is a proud moment in any player’s career. Cornal and Lood fully deserve to be in the squad this weekend and I know they will do well,” said Meyer.
“Cornal performed exceptionally well in his first start for South Africa against the World XV last weekend and really made the most of his opportunity.”
“Lood has everything expected from a modern lock – not only is he big and powerful, but he likes the physical stuff and is very skilful as well.”
“I also planned on giving Jan an opportunity this month. He was first selected when he was 20 last year and it’s always been our plan to groom him for a long Springbok career. He’s been playing well for the Vodacom Bulls lately and his first start for the Springboks is well-deserved after making nine appearances from the bench in 2013.”
“Jan and JP Pietersen will face a very experienced midfield combination on Saturday, but they have played against the best in Vodacom Super Rugby and know what is expected of them.”
Meyer said he is expecting a stern challenge from Wales on Saturday.
“They started their tour well with a good win in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday evening and they are always fired up and ready,” said the Springbok coach.
“Wales have an experienced coaching team and they were the Six Nations champions in 2012 and 2013, as well as the back-bone of the British & Irish Lions team which beat Australia last year, so this will be a massive challenge in our first Test of the season.”
“Although we got our season off to a good start against the World XV last weekend, there were a few areas of the game we were not satisfied with and which we worked hard on this week. We will have to be at our best on Saturday and we want to make our supporters proud.”
Victor Matfield, who will captain the Springboks for the 18th time in a Test, will equal John Smit’s South African record of 111 Tests in the Green and Gold.
Four players who are part of the squad were not considered for selection because of illness and injury. They are Juan de Jongh (chest infection), Siya Kolisi (flu), Oupa Mohoje (flu) and Marnitz Boshoff (ankle).
Springbok team:
15. Willie le Roux (12 caps 20 points)
14. Cornal Hendricks (0 caps 0 points)
13. JP Pietersen (51 caps 80 points)
12. Jan Serfontein (9 caps 5 points)
11. Bryan Habana (95 caps 265 points)
10. Morné Steyn (54 caps 636 points)
9. Fourie du Preez (vice-captain – 67 caps, 75 points)
8. Duane Vermeulen (16 caps 5 points)
7. Willem Alberts (30 caps 35 points)
6. Francois Louw (28 caps 25 points)
5. Victor Matfield (captain – 110 caps 35 points)
4. Bakkies Botha (78 caps 35 points)
3. Jannie du Plessis (51 caps 5 points)
2. Bismarck du Plessis (vice-captain – 57 caps 45 points)
1. Gurthrö Steenkamp (49 caps 30 points)
Replacements:
16. Schalk Brits (5 caps 0 points)
17. Tendai Mtawarira (53 caps 10 points)
18. Coenie Oosthuizen (14 caps 10 points)
19. Lood de Jager (0 caps 0 points)
20. Schalk Burger (68 caps 65 points)
21. Ruan Pienaar (74 caps 130 points)
22. Johan Goosen (4 caps 8 points)
23. Lwazi Mvovo (7 caps 5 points)
Stats and facts:
- The Springbok starting team boasts a total of 707 Test caps (288 in the backline and 419 in the forwards), while there are a further 225 caps worth of experience on the bench.
- South Africa and Wales have played each other 27 times since 1906, with the Springboks winning 25 Tests, losing once and one was drawn. The Springboks have scored 739 points and 92 tries and conceded 382 points and 32 tries for an average score of 27-14.
- South Africa and Wales last met on 9 November, 2013 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The Springboks beat Wales 24-15 thanks to three tries from Jean de Villiers, Bismarck du Plessis and Fourie du Preez against five penalties by Leigh Halfpenny.
- Victor Matfield will equal John Smit’s record of 111 Tests for South Africa in what will be his 11th Test against Wales, one more than the previous record 10 appearances against the Welsh, held jointly between him and Smit.
- Bryan Habana will extend his record as the most-capped Springbok wing, with 94 Tests in this position and if he scores a try, will extend his record of 53 Test tries for South Africa.
- Morné Steyn will extend his record as the most-capped Springbok flyhalf, with 52 Tests in this position. If he scores a try, he will also extend his record of eight Test tries as a flyhalf for South Africa.
- If he scores a try, Bismarck du Plessis will extend his record of nine test tries for South Africa as a hooker. Bismarck and his brother Jannie will also be playing together in their 32nd Test, a Springbok record for brothers.
- Schalk Burger will extend his record as the most capped Springbok flank, with 66 Tests in this position. He also shares the record with Juan Smith for the most Test tries as a flank (11).
- Gurthrö Steenkamp will be playing in his 50th Test for the Springboks. He will be the 29th Springbok in history to achieve this feat. If he scores a try, he will extend his own record of six tries as a prop for South Africa.
- Cornal Hendricks is the only new Springbok in the starting team. He will be Springbok No. 855. If he goes on, Lood de Jager will become Springbok No. 856.
- Thirteen of the players were involved in the last Test in 2013 (against France). JP Pietersen played on the wing while Gurthro Steenkamp and Bakkies went on as substitutes. Coenie Oosthuizen played tighthead prop while Ruan Pienaar started at scrumhalf.
- The referee is Romain Poite of France. This will be his fourth Test involving South Africa. The Springboks have won two and lost one of these encounters. His last game was the Test against New Zealand on 14 September, 2013 at Eden Park in Auckland, when the Boks lost by 29-15 in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.
Springbok Test match records at Growthpoint Kings Park in Durban:
- Most points – 31 (1t, 1c, 8p) by Morné Steyn on 1 August, 2009 against New Zealand.
- Most tries – five by Stefan Terblanche on 19 June, 1999 against Italy.
- Most conversions – eight by Gaffie du Toit on 19 June, 1999 against Italy.
- Most penalty goals – eight by Morné Steyn on 1 August, 2009 against New Zealand.
- Most drop goals – three by Naas Botha on 3 May, 1980 against South America and also three on 6 June, 1981 against Ireland.
jan and jp are going to run over them arou d them and through them
@ WP Till I Die:
Sat, 09 Nov 2013 … 24-15 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sun, 11 Sep 2011… 17-16 Westpac Trust, Wellington
Sat, 13 Nov 2010… 29-25 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sat, 05 Jun 2010 … 34-31 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sat, 08 Nov 2008 … 20-15 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sat, 14 Jun 2008 … 37-21 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Sat, 07 Jun 2008 … 43-17 Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
Sat, 24 Nov 2007 … 34-12 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sat, 19 Nov 2005 … 33-16 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sat, 06 Nov 2004 … 38-36 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sat, 26 Jun 2004 … 53-18 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Sat, 15 Jun 2002 … 19-8 Newlands, Cape Town
Sat, 08 Jun 2002 … 34-19 Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
Sun 26 Nov 2000… 23-13 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sat, 26 Jun 1999 .. 19-29 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Lately the scores are close
58 @ Tuff Gong:
Another reason to really question the integrity of SA Rugby at the highest level.
It’s a PROFESSIONAL SPORT FFS.
There should be no “rewarding” players when they’re past their sell by date. No matter what they did for a coach / union / individual in a “past lifetime”.
How is it that Trevor Nyakane is deemed to be too overweight and unfit and yet Gurthro, in HMs eyes, is not.
Im going to wait until the Welsh side is named but I have a feeling we’re in for a loooong afternoon on Saturday.
Those recent scores have been way too close of late.
@ John Galt:
im not defending guthros selection but they are relying on his xp. nyakane is still a young player in his early twenties. personally I think young players should be as fit as possible or their careers wont last very long. and in the past we have had a few players come through but who dont have long careers because they dont work hard enough. tiyabilika, nkumane, shimange, raubenheimer etc that never gets to their peak
and with our issues on the loosehead we want the guys we have as strong and fit as possible
Cape Town – Frans Steyn’s dad has confirmed that a broken promise from the South African Rugby Union (SARU) was one of the reasons his son left the Springbok squad.
Piet Steyn told Thursday’s Die Burger that SARU did not adhere to a contractual promise they had made to his son.
The monetary promise was made by SARU before Steyn returned from French club, Racing Metro, to play for the Sharks in 2012.
However, Steyn Snr made it clear that money was not the only reason behind his son’s decision to pull out. He said there were “other issues” that cannot be disclosed.
“If it was only about money, then Frans would never have returned from France to play in South Africa. He is in top form and is playing some of his best rugby. He has matured and makes thoughtful decisions.”
He said Frans is very emotional about the the whole situation because he was very proud to have worn the Springbok jersey.
Frans will finish the Super Rugby season with the Sharks before heading to Japan. It remains unclear when he will again be available to represent the Springboks.
Imagine the flak HM would have gotten if he rested or dropped Beast and replaced him with a white player.
Just one more example of the other side of being a Bok coach and how each decision taken must first fit into the big picture
cant fransie go to the ccma? it appears he has nothing legal to stand on or any proof?
@67 Ashley
I wonder what the real story is.
But, it’s also strange how quickly yesterday’s big news becomes less significant today 😀
He has made his decision and he must play for the Sharks and Japan and if he gets selected for the Boks again I will be very surprised.
The Shark supporters will rightly back him 100% because he is showing such loyalty to them ( actually they fail to realize his loyalty is only towards Jake ) but they don’t see it like that.
The rest of the country won’t be so keen to see him in a Bok jersey again, and I’m sure some of his team mates won’t enjoy the way he turned his back on them as well
@ nortierd:
it appears that he only has a few games left in the black and white as welp
MacroBok wrote:
Nope, he will play in Japan and then for the Sharks in SR.
Obviously, that is subject to change, as we have seen with him these last few days, but as long as White doesn’t ditch the Sharks, he will probably still play for them.
@ nortierd:
nah there is no point to playing for the sharks after this season. he isnt that loyal. especially if he cant come to an agreement with saru.
Ashley wrote:
Hy is vir my nou wat Luke Watson vir ander is
nortierd @ 68
ai nortie, ek sien jy sukkel weer met die engels ve’môre
jy bedoel seker
..
“imagine the flak HM …….. and replaced him with a quota white player” nê?
..
ja, there would’ve been a lot of constructive criticism
nortierd @ 70
yes, HM’s “I wish him and his family the best for whatever the future holds” doesn’t sound very promising (I read it on rugby365)
Ek sien op Facebook het Frans baie support by die vroue geslag en totale veragting by die Manne. Jy drop mos nie jou span maats nie? Maar Tannies soek die manetjie moet geld maak, hy is glo so mooi……
Ashley wrote:
Ha ha ha
Net so
😀
superBul wrote:
Dis winter, enige vrou sal n dik lyf langs hulle in die kooi geniet om hulle warm te hou.
Wag net tot hulle n foto van my dikgat sien, dan drop hulle vir Fransie net so vinnig soos hy die Bokke gedrop het
@ superBul:
chicks word aangetrek na “rebel bad boys”. hormone maak mens dom.
I see Daddy Steyn has spoken out…
He says money is ONE of the reasons… So the brat has more than one issue…
He also states that his son is in the form of his life… whatever… Obviously a father sees what he wants to see… We see a totally different Frans… 🙄
super super super
prober jy nou by #77 vi my sê dat ek ñ vrou moet wees aangesien ek so ñ bietjie simpatie met die mannetjie het?
@ Gumboots:
I think fransie still hold a grudge against the bullies for 2007 world cup, and does not respect matfield enough…
As far as I’m concerned, this Fransie Steyn story is getting extremely stale…
Just glad he has left the Bokke at this stage… and I still hope he never wears the Bok jersey ever again.
The truth will come out as soon as all the hype has died down… eventually.
@84 @ grootblousmile:
So money isn’t the only issue according to Daddy… It is only one of the issues… This kid has so many issues and thinks he is bigger than the game. Imagine walking out of your job because you have issues with your contract. The door will be closed when you eventually come to your senses. It is obvious he wanted this out in public with the manner in which he left. Why didn’t he inform HM before the team was announced that he wouldn’t be available. This is going to backfire big time… If a promise was made verbally, then why didn’t he ensure that it was put on paper. If it is on paper take them on, like any normal person would…
I agree this is stale but has left a bad taste in my mouth and a person feels sorry for his team mates whom he has dropped big time… Say what you like, such behaviour is very immature…
grootblousmile wrote:
702 reorted this morning that it was all about image rights and that SARU have failed to honour an agreement with “a 3rd party” in respect there-of.
85 @ Gumboots:
I said all along when this saga broke, that the way Fransie is handling it, speaks volumes.
It has left a very bad taste in my mouth against him too.
Dropping his team mates and the Springboks at this time is a failure in having enough “inbors” (I suppose the best English word would be “honour”)… and very, very immature and disappointing.
It makes him a low-life in my estimations.
You are of course right, if the matters are money related and / or of contractual nature, the way to have handled it would be through proper legal process… and not in a media circus.
He is a Prima Donna, spoilt brat, ego monster… call it what you want.
@ nortierd:
56
Not implying anything, this is the angle those who put their money where their mouth is!
🙂
Poiet worth’s is a Min 14 points , the home advantage is roughly 10-12 points, no incentive to take any wager against the Boks this time against a short hand, 2nd string Wales?
@ gunther:
That’s I take it represents the view from Pavlov’s dog end?
😉
86 @ Scrumdown:
Once again, something which could have been handled behind the scenes, and if needs be by the lawyers…
89 @ grootblousmile:
Agreed BUT, if you’ve been trying to sort something out with your “employer” for months and they continually skirt the issue and fail to bring things to a conclusion, what are your options?
I’m not saying that Steyn’s actions are in any way right, but I would find it VERY difficult to believe that SARU have been totally above board in the shenanigans.
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