Bok Team to play Oz

The Springbok team to play Australia in the opening game of the 2007 Tri Nations (and Nelson Mandela Challenge) at Newlands on Saturday was announced minutes ago.

Jake White spoke about some of the selections:

Gurthro Steenkamp over Os Du Randt:
“Os played last week and I felt Gurthro should get a start. Os might be needed next week when we play against the All Blacks and Carl Hayman so it’s not an injury thing at all it’s simply a rotation that gives Gurthro an opportunity to start a Test match.”

Pierre Spies over Danie Rossouw:
“I think the most important thing there is that we’re playing a team that gives the ball a lot of width and plays a lot of multi-phase rugby. Pierre’s athleticism offers us a lot more in terms of covering the field in defence, especially since dry weather is predicted. It’s nice to have an athlete like him playing at No 8 in those conditions. Also, he was the Man of the Match in the England Test, so the decision was a little easier.”

Ruan Pienaar in for the injured Ricky Januarie:
“We started our training camp with three scrumhalves in the squad and now we have one. So I don’t think Ruan would’ve expected that within three Test matches he would be starting a Tri-Nations match against Australia. But’s it’s a great opportunity for him, and after eight Test matches as a utility back it’s great for him to get a start.”

Total points for the Springboks against Australia: 1068 with 979 conceded. An average score of 18-16. Australia was the first country to concede more than 1000 points against South Africa.

The biggest winning margin in a Test against Australia was 39 in 1997 while the biggest losing margin is 49 in the first Tri-Nations match last year in Brisbane.

Jannie de Beer holds the record of 26 points in a Test against Australia while only one Springbok scored 3 tries in a Test against them, Hennie van Zyl in 1961.

In the only two Vodacom Tri-Nations Tests against Australia at Newlands South Africa was victorious. 10-9 in 1999 and 26-22 in 2003.

Saturday’s referee is Wayne Barnes of England. It will be the first time that he officiates as referee in a Test involving the Springboks.

The team to face Australia is:

1. Gurthro Steenkamp – gets his chance to prove his worth – Os still being nurtured towards RWC. This will be the first Test that John Smit, BJ Botha and Gurthro Steenkamp will start in a Test as a front row combination.

2. John ‘Barney’ Smit (Captain) – making his 67th appearance for the Boks – the 5th highest ever. He leads the Springboks for a record 42nd time and will be playing in his 46th consecutive Test match.

3. Brendon James ‘BJ’ Botha – ready to wreak havoc against the powder-puff Wallaby front row

4. John Philip ‘Bakkies’ Botha – the enforcer is back. Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha will improve their record of 27 Test matches as a lock pairing.

5. ‘Big’ Victor Matfield – looks to continue his sublime form – best lock in the world

6. Schalk ‘Schalla’ Burger jr – regaining his form of old

7. ‘Don’ Juan Smith – never has a bad game

8. Pierre Spies – surprising as many picked Rossouw to start on the heavy field

9. Ruan ‘Mr Bean’ Pienaar – at last he starts at scrumhalf

10. Robert ‘Butch’ James – hope the knees hold out Butchie.

11. Ashwin Willemse – on the up

12. Jean De Villiers – needs to have a blinder

13. Jaque ‘Mossie’ Fourie – the old pairing reunited

14. Jon-Paul Roger ‘JP’ Pietersen – let’s see more of that deceptive pace

15. Percival ‘Monty’ Montgomery – 84th Bok cap – second most ever

The Replacements:

16. Gary Botha
17. CJ van der Linde
18. Johann Muller
19. Danie Rossouw
20. Michael Claassens
21. Wynand Olivier
22. Frans Steyn