Boks to make at least 4 changes to starting lineout (no Hougie...)

• 11 Nov 2014
 
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Pat Lambie kicks the match-winning penalty at Ellis Park

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is set to make at least four changes to his starting XV for the big clash against England at Twickenham, reports JON CARDINELLI in London.

Last week, Meyer said that Pat Lambie would receive a start at some point on the four-Test tour to Europe. Many believed that Lambie would replace Handré Pollard in the fixtures against Italy and Wales, but it’s now emerged that Lambie is likely to front England.

Cobus Reinach is also set to replace Francois Hougaard at No 9. Hougaard had a shocker against Ireland in Dublin, and that performance will cost him his place in the XV. Reinach and Lambie ran with the starting side during the field session in London on Tuesday afternoon.

Another significant change on the cards is at hooker, with Adriaan Strauss promoted ahead of Bismarck du Plessis. JP Pietersen is also expected to start on the right wing, and ran with the starting side on Tuesday.

Lock Eben Etzebeth (flu) and Marcell Coetzee (hamstring) took no part in the session, but should be ready for the match this Saturday. If Coetzee doesn’t recover from his ailment, Schalk Burger will start at openside flank and Nizaam Carr will be included on the bench.

Coenie Oosthuizen spent much of the session running with the starting side. Jannie du Plessis pulled up with what appeared to be a buttock strain. If the injury is deemed serious enough to rule Du Plessis out, then Oosthuizen will start at tighthead.

The match-day 23 will be announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Probable Bok XV – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Beast Mtawarira.

 Reinach is your best half back option potentially. Saying they had a bad game in the S15 semi so what, everyone has bad games. Lambie has been excellent coming off the bench, I rate him superior to Pollard at his stage of his career. SA need to stop picking players, based on their potential (or past performances) . And start picking players who are the best in their position currently. That is Lambie IMO.

1. Tendai 2. Strauss 3. Coenie 4. Estebeth 5. Matfeild (Old man should retire, but Uncle Meyer well continue to pick him) 6. Coetzee 7. Mohoje 8. Vermulen 9. Reinach 10. Lambie 11. Habana 12. Serfointain 13. JDV 14. JP Peterson 15. Le Roux

 Although it isn't the "dumbest idea" I suggested it could be a lot worse.

The only real issue I have is the continual selection of Mohoje, and I fear this confirms that he is a quota selection, although I hope I am wrong.

Watch what happens to our scrum if Coenie is our tight head prop.

Bluebok, the only real experiment here is Coenie. 

Reinach and Lambie deserves a shot