Ex Supersport
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer appears unlikely to blood any new caps in the run-on XV against Scotland.
SARugbymag’s Jon Cardinelli, on tour with the Springboks, reports that Meyer entrusted all the veterans in the run-on XV at training.
This is the side that trained.
15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Flip van der Merwe, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
The backline is the same one that finished the Test against Wales. Among the forwards, Bakkies Botha replaces Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi takes over from Willem Alberts and in the front row Adriaan Strauss and Gurthro Steenkamp move from the subs bench to the starting XV.
What do you think?
My view is why take the likes of Johan Goosen on tour when he could have been having a proper rest and a full pre-season conditioning programme. Why take Scarra Ntubeni? Why take Louis Schreuder?
And if Pieter-Stef du Toit can start the Currie Cup final and be the man of the match he surely can start a Test against Scotland. Ditto the game time afforded Jan Serfontein.
Why play Jean de Villiers against Scotland?
Perhaps we had best not speculate too much till the team is announced. Snapster blood pressure will hit the roof.
Would never play Schreuder or Ntubeni or Kolisi. That much should be clear.
Jan was still under twenty this year as was Goosen so one understands the concern. Du Toit might have got a start.
I would have thought going on tour and getting to know the culture and learning the ropes would be a big plus even if a youngster didnt play. Also gives the coach a time to work with the youngster and then you have mentors like the great Bakkies.
Scotland have made six changes to the side that beat Japan 42-17.
Scotland – 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Duncan Taylor, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c), 8 David Denton, 7 John Barclay, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Moray Low, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Subs: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 John Beattie, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Max Evans.
