NEWS: SPRINGBOK COACH HEYNEKE MEYER NAMED AN UNCHANGED STARTING XV TO FACE NEW ZEALAND IN THE FIRST WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL, ON SATURDAY AT TWICKENHAM IN LONDON.
The only change to the match-day squad is at replacement lock, where Victor Matfield has overcome his hamstring injury and takes over from Pieter-Steph du Toit, bringing even more experience to the bench.
It’s the first time since last November that Meyer has been able to name an unchanged team for back-to-back Tests and only the sixth time since his appointment in 2012.
“It’s great to be able to give another run to the team that got us through to the semi-finals in the biggest Test of the year,” said Meyer.
“Victor’s inclusion on the bench gives us even more experience there and, as we saw last weekend against Wales, when the replacements did very well towards the end of the match, this will be crucial. His influence will also be pivotal against a strong New Zealand line-out.”
Meyer said his team is braced for a massive onslaught on Saturday.
“We’re playing against the defending champions and the top-ranked side in the world, but the current New Zealand side can also be regarded as arguably one of the best Test teams ever,” said Meyer.
“We have the utmost respect for their players and coaching staff and although there is an intense rivalry we actually get along very well away from the field.
“But we have to believe we can beat them otherwise we’ll be wasting our time on Saturday. We will have to be at our ultimate best and although we played some excellent rugby against Wales, there are always things to improve on.
“Tests against New Zealand are very intense and the margins over the last couple of years have been small. We’re not expecting anything different this weekend and the self-belief is there.
“Everyone in our group is massively excited about Saturday’s challenge. For many players this will be an once-in-a-lifetime occasion and we want to go out there and make it count in front of what will be a magnificent crowd at a superb stadium.”
The Springbok team to face New Zealand in London is:
Position/Name/Franchise or Club/Test Caps/Test points
15. Willie le Roux Toyota Cheetahs (32 caps, 45 points)
14. JP Pietersen Cell C Sharks (64 caps, 110 points)
13. Jesse Kriel Vodacom Bulls (9 caps, 15 points)
12. Damian De Allende DHL Stormers (11 caps, 5 points)
11. Bryan Habana Toulon (115 caps, 320 points)
10. Handré Pollard Vodacom Bulls (18 caps, 159 points)
9. Fourie du Preez (captain) Suntory (75 caps, 80 points)
8. Duane Vermeulen DHL Stormers (33 caps 10 points
7. Schalk Burger (vice-captain) DHL Stormers (84 caps, 80 points)
6. Francois Louw Bath (41 caps, 40 points)
5. Lood de Jager Toyota Cheetahs (17 caps, 20 points)
4. Eben Etzebeth DHL Stormers (42 caps, 5 points)
3. Frans Malherbe DHL Stormers (10 caps, 0 points)
2. Bismarck du Plessis Cell C Sharks (77 caps, 55 points)
1. Tendai Mtawarira Cell C Sharks (73 caps, 10 points)
Replacements:
16. Adriaan Strauss Vodacom Bulls (52 caps, 30 points)
17. Trevor Nyakane Vodacom Bulls (21 caps, 5 points)
18. Jannie du Plessis Cell C Sharks (68 caps, 5 points)
19. Victor Matfield Vodacom Bulls (125 caps, 35 points)
20. Willem Alberts Cell C Sharks (36 caps, 35 points)
21. Ruan Pienaar Ulster (87 caps, 135 points)
22. Pat Lambie Cell C Sharks (48 caps, 131 points)
23. Jan Serfontein Vodacom Bulls (24 caps, 10 points)
