In a slightly irritating move, Peter de Villiers has made ten changes to his Springbok team for the Third Test against the Lions.
It does give us a chance to see Ryan Kankowski in action who has been kept out by the brilliant Pierre Spies, but perhaps this will go some way to preventing the 80-minute brawl that we discussed yesterday.
South Africa: Kirchner (Bulls); Ndungane (Sharks), Fourie (Lions), Olivier (Bulls), Nokwe (Cheetahs); M Steyn (Bulls), Du Preez (Bulls); Mtawarira (Sharks), Ralepelle (Bulls), Smit (Sharks), Muller (Sharks), Matfield (Bulls), Brussow (Cheetahs), Smith (Cheetahs), Kankowski (Sharks).
Replacements: B du Plessis (Sharks), Steenkamp (Bulls), Carstens (Sharks), Sykes (Sharks), Spies (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), F Steyn (Sharks).
Does De Villiers want to be any more disrespectful? Talk about devaluing the match. They may still win but that’s not the point.
The man’s an eejit.
Stuart i beg to differ. This is the team apart from maybe 3 players that most South africans would want on the pitch. Kirchner at full back is what everyone hoped for.
Steyn is not Pienaar an can split the post from +50m Olivier at centre with Fourie is going to devastating. So please do not think that he is devaluing the match. I think the first 2 matches wasn’t the strongest bok side we have. So best of luck to the BIL’s on Saturday the will need it.
I called these changes in yesterday’s blog. The only weakness I see is in the defence of the two wings and I would have prefered to have seen Potgieter (captain of up-coming Springboks) replace Smith on the flank.
Any indiscretions by BIL will be sorely punished by Morne Steyn.
Still calling a Bok win though.
Fair enough Anton, although the 2 wingers, the no 8, the hooker and one of the 2nd rows can in no way be called 1st choice. That’s a 3rd of the team. I enjoy watching Kankowski but he’s very very loose for a number 8. Agree that PDV got the midfield completely wrong in the first 2 tests and think there’s an improvement there. Can’t stand Jaques Fourie but he is a hell of a player.
I don’t the Lions have a chance here. Don’t doubt the wings, they are both very good players on defense. I think 21 is a bit young be in the front row for a Lions test , so maybe chilli boy is a weak link but Bismark is on the bench.
Kirchner has tendancy might be a bit dodgy at the back for the first 10min but this won’t matter. Boks by 10
Have to agree that the changes have only slightly weakened this team. I still think they will be a very dangerous outfit and they are playing for their shirts in the tri-nations so will all be busting a gut throughout.
Plus if they give Brussow the full 80 mins he will be deadly.
Obviously am writing this with the benefit of hindsight but look what happened to the South Africans – that means the All Blacks will win the Tri Nations for Sure! The trophy is in the bag already!