Juan de Jongh: Gets the nod
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Prop Gurthrö Steenkamp and centre Juan de Jongh have been included in South Africa's starting line-up to face Scotland at Murrayfield.
Steenkamp replaces CJ van der Linde at loosehead prop after the latter took over as a late replacement for Tendai Mtawarira last weekend, while De Jongh takes over at outside centre in place of Jaco Taute.
Both Van der Linde and Taute have been included on the bench.
In total, the Springbok team has 416 Test caps in the starting XV - 150 of them amongst the forwards and 266 in the backline.
"It's great to have Gurthrö back - we wanted to select him last week, but unfortunately he was not 100 per cent fit," said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
"Gurthrö is experienced, knows the conditions well and is looking forward to returning to the green and gold as he's not played for South Africa for more than a year.
"Juan is in a similar position. Even though he's played in a number of Tests for us this year, he's not started for the Boks since last year's away leg of the Tri-Nations against New Zealand in Wellington.
"My plan has always been to give him a start on this tour, as he's been playing very well lately, and I'm excited to see what he brings to the team on Saturday."
Heinke van der Merwe, a late replacement on the bench for Van der Linde last weekend, has kept his place among the reserves.
Saturday's Test will be the 22nd between South Africa and Scotland since they first met in 1906. Of these, the Boks have won 16 and lost five, which includes the last time they played, in 2010. On that occasion, the Scots won 21-17.
"Our focus has been on improving from our performance against Ireland last week," said Meyer.
"We saw the match between Scotland and New Zealand and that the Scots scored three tries against the All Blacks - which is more than any other team has managed against them this year.
"It was their first Test back since their season started and they will not be an easy opponent on Saturday, but we've also brushed off some cobwebs in Dublin and have had a good week on the training field.
"We lost on our last visit to Edinburgh and realise Saturday will be a massive battle, but it's one we are looking forward to."
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Jaco Taute, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.
Date: Saturday 16 November
Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT (16:30 SA time)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Christophe Berdos (France)
Television match official: Eric Gauzins (France)
Comments
Grog says...
2 logical changes in an illogical set up .
Poor coach poor rugby .
Boks at a low
Scotland has the opportunity to expose a poorly coached badly selected Bok side playing to a poor game plan.
HM could well go down as one of our worst coaches in our rugby history.
def, the worst coach I have ever seen in more than 45 years .
Posted 05:40 16th November 2012
JayStarr says...
@ letsgoboks: I agree - I have gone off JdV too. Since his season with the Stormers already... He always wants to calm/slow things down - but just look at what Province did when he wasn't around. There's a thin line between getting over-excited/panicked and youthful exhuberance and energy - and I feel like he keeps throwing water on the latter. Let the young guys loose! Fire them up I say! Stop this John Smit-like "calm down calm down" nonsense... Get mad and go get them! The teams JdV captains lacks that kind of attitude. From that team I would choose Deon Fourie-like Adriaan Strauss as captain. He certainly leads from the front when he's playing.
@ ernie715: I can honestly say I have NO IDEA what you are talking about... Vinegar and water ? Besides, last time I checked this was a DISCUSSION board - i.e. the idea is that we discuss each other's posts. If you don't like people telling you you're crazy for picking Morné Steyn at 13, then rather keep that crazy sh to yourself... (Are you by any chance Ricardo Loubser?)
@ rugbyforever: Thanks. And I agree with YOU ! ;)
@ Spartacus: I agree completely ! Don't know why everyone is writing them off! Juan Smith was the best 7/6 in the world when he played. Apart from Percy Montgommery's 90%+ kicking, Juan Smith won the 2007 World Cup for SA. Now people want to write him off because he's been out for too long! If anything it has extended his career. NZ is thinking nothing about giving Richie a year off - which is how long Schalk Burger has been off (who incidently played incredible rugby at 7/6 at last year's World Cup)...
No, I completely agree with you - both Smith and Burger still have lots to offer the Springboks. If anything, their careers have been extended by having a break...
McCaw is now 31. Juan Smith is also 31. Schalk Burger is 29. So poppycock I say! To 2015 I say!
Posted 09:49 15th November 2012
Rolf says...
JayStar: I to-tally agree with you.
And best to Schalk, when you meet him next timme.
I am a huge fan.
Posted 08:41 15th November 2012
Spartacus says...
@Rolf - Burger and Smith had better come back. They have a lot to offer Boks right up to next World Cup (if they avoid injuries)
Posted 23:09 14th November 2012
rugbyforever says...
@ Jaystar
I agree totally with your comments on Kirchner/Loubscher - they are the biggest problem in the Bok setup. The sooner they go the better for SA Rugby.
Posted 22:27 14th November 2012
scot_rsa says...
Good player de Jongh, well deserved. I want both sides to improve but hope Scotland get a deserved win. I think it's possible if they are pumped up especially as I think JdV hasn't led with distinction. Scotland have more leaders and that should narrow the skills gap. Here's hoping for a great game.
Posted 21:42 14th November 2012
ernie715 says...
@Jaystarr You ran out of vinager and water because your crying like a bitch! When you become the next Springbok coach (which in your case only on x-box) then make your own selection. Til that time quit crying about everyone else's post
Posted 21:28 14th November 2012
JayStarr says...
@ Rolf: Smith is going to play in Europe next season, so he is definitely returning to rugby. I saw Burger in a pub in Stellenbosch the other night, and he is definitely returning for Super Rugby. Smith might take some time to get back to his best, but Burger is the kind of player who will probably start and be man of the match in his first game!
Also, not ALL Bulls out - Hougaard, Kruger and Guthro can stay. I just want the best players, that's all. And that means no Kirchner, Steyn and Spies. I think you'll find 80% of South Africa agree with me on those, so it's not like I'm being extreme...
Posted 19:20 14th November 2012
JayStarr says...
@ dylbull: You know they are both spelled PietersEn, right? And you know it's "preferred" and not "prepared", right? Don't correct me - I am always correct... ;)
Posted 19:12 14th November 2012
letsgoboks says...
If JDV was dropped who would we chose as the captain?
Very young team... and lets be serious here... there are a few meatheads in our team.
I think... The only guy in that team who could do the job is Adriaan... but he's our second place hooker with Bizzie fit.
I rate JDV and have always thought he's been class... especially when he had Fourie on his shoulder. But hes not leading the team. The boys should've changed their game plan last week when things were breaking down and thats his job to make those calls. I also have never been a fan of a captain being in the backline away from the hard sloggers. We need someone up front leading.
What are your thoughts?
Posted 19:06 14th November 2012
masar says...
i know spies returning is not beneficial for the boks
Posted 19:03 14th November 2012
melkdave says...
As others have said ,i too would have prefered J.Taute at 15 ,and i also would have perfered Mvovo to Hougaard on the wing if im honest.Though the Steenkamp call is good imo.Overall its a decent team ,and should do well,against Scotland.But i have this feeling Scotland will turn the bokke over this weekend ,they didnt do badly against the ABs despite what the score suggests,some defensive lapses ,im sure theve worked on.While the bokke where poor against a dredfull Ireland,they where so bad ,most top class teams would have put 50+ on them with ease imo.Anyway should really be a cracking match,to watch imo.
Posted 17:31 14th November 2012
carpelone says...
Rolf
Unfortunately, I agree with you. Burger's and Smith's days in green and gold are likely over.
The back row does not look bad however, although I do agree that Vermeulen and Alberts play a very similar game.
I would use Alberts as an impact player, replacing a lock, to give the Bok's game some more sparks in the last part of the game.
Posted 17:23 14th November 2012
Rolf says...
@ben/ - I do not see Burger & Smith returning at all.
and beast heart palpalations i find very disturbing, too.
@jaystarr: I do like your comments generally, but dont you everget bored of posting the same comments, summed up like: "all bulls OUT! - all VeePee IN!"
Not that idislike or disagree, but it becomes predictable and takes from the quality of your contribution.
I liked the scots against the ABs, really. But i trust the Boks will beat them. Just too strong with de Jongh.
Posted 16:16 14th November 2012
dylbull says...
@Jaystarr
you do know it's Pieterson from the Sharks and not Pietersen from the Stormers right?
Would have prepared Taute at 15... but lets see how they get on
nice team
Posted 15:46 14th November 2012
JayStarr says...
@ ernie715: You are delusional. Throw a glass of water in your face.
@ carpelone: Well, he already thinks he's a better full-back than Gio Aplon, Louis Ludik and Willie Le Roux... so of course he'll think he's better than Jaco Taute. But you know what, don't underestimate Ricardo Loubser's influence regarding Kirchner's inclusion. He is not only Kirchner's no.1 fan (he has publicly stated what an amazing full-back he thinks Kirchner is - "the best in the country"), but they are also good friends... I would like to see both of them gone by 2013. Otherwise we can forget about winning the Rugby Championship - nevermind the World Cup.
Posted 15:38 14th November 2012
carpelone says...
Does this mean that HM considers Kirchener a better fullback than Taute???
Posted 14:03 14th November 2012
rugbyphile says...
Good ol slow ol forward pass skipper keeps his place--as does Francois the defensive nightmare and headless chicken in attack who never chases any kicks--so he can cover for scrum half?
Posted 13:54 14th November 2012
ernie715 says...
I would rather see Jaco Taute with De Jongh instead of de Villiers. And I will catch hell for saying this but a combination with De Jongh at 12 and Morne Steyn at 13 with Jaco Taute at 15.
Posted 12:36 14th November 2012
JayStarr says...
Good replacements! They will definitely improve the team. Now we just need to get rid of Zane Kirchner and we'll have a very decent starting team... I mean, just imagine how well we'll do once we have 15 players contributing !
If Murrayfield is dry (well, dry for Scotland), I promise you Juan de Jongh is either going to score or create at least one try. I am so glad HM is playing him at 13 instead of 12 - not only because it is his best position in my opinion, but also because he has experience of playing with JdV and Pietersen, so this backline combination will operate a bit smoother. I also just think Lambie, JdV, De Jongh and Pietersen is a better combination of players period.
Hopefully we get to see Taute get a run at full-back during the game, and I also really hope we get to see Schalk Brits this time !
Posted 12:29 14th November 2012