It must be borne in mind that this is really not a tram that is representative of test players all over the world that is being played. Most are ex-South Africans plying their trade in Europe and the rest have very little chance of representing their home countries in test.
Whereas this is really a trial match in disguise one would expect from Meyer to try out some new up-and-coming players too see how they react in the test squad environment - but knowing Meyer's selections of the past nothing much is to be expected in the relevant regard.
His "love affair" with Bulls players and ex-Bulls players will continue and nobody else is likely to get a look-in. He will also to be expected to bring in some players from the distant past - like Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.
Meyer will bring in no new players -despite dismal performances of some of the players in Super 15 and one can expect a team consisting of the following players for the 7 June test:-
15 Willie le Roux
14 JP Pietersen
13 JJ Engelbrecht
12 Francois Steyn
11 Bryan Habana
10 Morne Steyn
9 Fourie du Preez
8 Duane Vermeulen
7 Willem Alberts
6 Francois Louw
5 Victor Matfield
4 Bakkies Botha
3 Jannie du Plessis
2 Bismarck du Plessis
1 Tendai Mtawarire
16 Adriaan Strauss (if he is not suspended)
17 Frans Malherbe
18 Coenie Oosthuizen
19 Flip van der Merwe
20 Take your pick here - likely a Bulls player
21 Ruan Pienaar
22 Jan Serfontein
23 Johan Goosen
The above is really a frightening prospect - there will be no forward planning whatsoever and I can see a repeat of 2012 in the upcoming tests - where we struggled against the English and came third in the RC.
