New Stade Francais recruit Gerhard Mostert will make this Springbok debut as one of four changes to the starting XV for Saturday’s Castle Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Wellington.
Mostert replaces injured lock Flip van der Merwe in the second row, forming a new partnership with Alistair Hargreaves who has recovered from an abdominal strain. Jean Deysel makes his first start in a rejigged back row.
Danie Rossouw shifts to No 8 at the expense of Ashley Johnson – who drops to the bench – with Deysel taking Rossouw’s place on the side of the scrum. Deon Stegmann is retained as the openside flank.
There are also two changes in the backline where Patrick Lambie makes his first start in place of the injured Gio Aplon at fullback.
In a tactical switch in the centres, Juan de Jongh moves to No 12 and Adi Jacobs starts at outside centre with Wynand Olivier dropping to the bench.
“We have had a few injury challenges on this tour and last week was not a good start, but we have learnt from our game against Australia,” said De Villiers.
“There have been some frank exchanges this week and the players know what is expected of them and that this is their opportunity.”
New cap Mostert arrived in Sydney from Paris on Sunday as a replacement, initially for another injured lock Johann Muller. He goes straight into the starting XV as a result of a rib cartilage injury suffered by Van der Merwe in last week’s match against Australia.
“People may have forgotten that I included Gerhard in my first training squad in 2008 but he has been struggling with different injuries over the past few seasons,” said De Villiers.
“He came back strongly for the Sharks this season and now circumstances have given him an opportunity to show what he can do.
“Pat Lambie also gets his first start and this too is his chance to demonstrate the ability we know he has at Test level. It’s a tough challenge for both of them and the rest of the young players but they have a chance to do something special here.”
Aplon misses the Test after flying home with Van der Merwe on Wednesday with back and shoulder injuries, also sustained in Sydney.
Johnson and Olivier are joined on the bench by Odwa Ndungane, who is added to the replacements following the elevation of Lambie.
John Smit leads the team in his 104th Test – his 78th as captain, extending his world record.
Team South Africa v New Zealand, 30 July 2011 (Westpac Stadium, Wellington)
No – Player – Province – Caps:
15 – Patrick Lambie – The Sharks – 5
14 – Bjorn Basson – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 5
13 – Adi Jacobs – The Sharks – 33
12 – Juan de Jongh – DHL Western Province – 7
11 – Lwazi Mvovo – The Sharks – 3
10 – Morne Steyn – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 26
9 – Ruan Pienaar – Ulster – 48
8 – Danie Rossouw – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 55
7 – Jean Deysel – The Sharks – 2
6 – Deon Stegmann – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 5
5 – Alistair Hargreaves – The Sharks – 3
4 – Gerhard Mostert – Stade Francais – –
3 – Werner Kruger – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 1
2 – John Smit (captain) – The Sharks – 103
1 – Dean Greyling – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 1
Replacements
16 – Chiliboy Ralepelle – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 19
17 – CJ van der Linde – DHL Western Province – 70
18 – Ryan Kankowski – The Sharks – 18
19 – Ashley Johnson – Toyota Free State Cheetahs – 1
20 – Charl McLeod – The Sharks – –
21 – Wynand Olivier – Vodacom Blue Bulls – 33
22 – Odwa Ndungane – The Sharks – 7
SARU Communications
Alan Straton
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