The Springboks had to make two changes due to injury to their match 22 to face the Wallabies in their Tri-Nations encounter at the Suncorpe Stadium in Brisbane this Saturday.
Coach Peter de Villiers announced today that Sharks wing Odwa Ndungane will take the place of his provincial team mate JP Pietersen in the starting line-up, whilst Vodacom Blue Bulls lock Danie Rossouw makes a return to the bench in the place of Vodacom Western Province’s Andries Bekker.
Both Pietersen (hamstring) and Bekker (shoulder) have returned to South Africa after sustaining injuries in the 32-25 win at the Subiaco Oval in Perth last week.
De Villiers also confirmed that concerns over minor ailments to Bakkies Botha and Bryan Habana had eased and that both players would be ready to fill their places on Saturday. Botha was rested from practice on Tuesday but Habana took part in the session.
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On tuesday Peter de Villiers named an unchanged Springbok team to face Australia at Newlands on Saturday in Cape Town.
The Bok coach kept intact the team that beat the All Blacks by 31-19 in Durban last weekend to win their second consecutive Vodacom Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand.
The only change to the Springbok team is on the bench, where fit-again Ruan Pienaar takes the place of Wynand Olivier.
Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha will play together as a lock-pairing for the 50th time in a Test for the Springboks. Matfield will play in his 86th Test and Botha in his 60th.
Jean de Villiers, who played in his 50th Test last weekend, will on Saturday surpass De Wet Barry’s record for the most capped Springbok centre of all time, when he will run out in the midfield for the 40th time. He played on the wing and as a replacement in his 11 other Tests.
The Springbok team is (Test caps in brackets):
15. Frans Steyn (32)
14. JP Pietersen (28)
13. Jaque Fourie (47)
12. Jean de Villiers (50)
11. Bryan Habana (50)
10. Morné Steyn (5)
9. Fourie du Preez (48)
8. Pierre Spies (24)
7. Juan Smith (59)
6. Heinrich Brüssow (6)
5. Victor Matfield (85)
4. Bakkies Botha (59)
3. John Smit (86) – Captain
2. Bismarck du Plessis (26)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (15)
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Percy Montgomery, the Springboks‘ most capped player and highest point scorer will be the new kicking coach to help the South African team according to Peter de Villiers.
De Villiers told E-News that Montgomery will be used when the squad joins for the British & Irish Lions series. With Montgomery’s 102-Test experience De Villiers added that he will be more than just a kicking consultant, but also a mentor within the side who could help in most areas of the game.
The move is a positive one as the Boks prepare for the Lions and specialists such as Montgomery will only aid the hosts, especially in the crucial areas of tactical and goal-kicking.
Montgomery was used by the Stormers in the early parts of this year’s Super 14 due to Conrad Jantjes’ first injury, but has since taken a back seat to give youngsters a chance to prove themselves.
source: keo.co.za
Pic: directnews.co.uk
The Klein Nederberg Secondary School hosted Peter de Villiers for a filmshoot with Sky TV on Tuesday.
De Villiers was interviewed for a documentary feature that is being produced by Sky which looks back on the 1974 British Lions tour of South Africa as well as ahead to the forthcoming series between the Springboks and the 2009 Lions in June and July. The documentary will be screened in the United Kingdom and Ireland in May this year.
In addition to the interview, de Villiers conducted a short skills session with the School’s 1st rugby team.
“When I was asked to find a venue for the shoot I approached Klein Nederberg and they happily agreed,” said de Villiers, whose daughter matriculated at the school.
“The headmistress and staff were very accommodating and hospitable as always and their efforts were much appreciated by myself and the Sky crew,” de Villiers said.
During his visit, the Bok coach interacted with scholars and educators and signed autographs. He also met five-year-old Bok fan Peter Esterhuizen whose dream is to play for the Springboks and whose favourite players are Jongi Nokwe and Percy Montgomery.
The Sky TV crew was grateful to Klein Nederberg for making their facilities available for the shoot.
Source + Pic: sarugby.co.za
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers visited the Springbok Sevens teams in Dubai today for a motivational talk and customary jersey presentation.
De Villiers did the same in November, when the SA team played and won the Dubai Sevens title for the second time in three years.
South Africa is chasing a unique double. The fifteens won the World Cup two years ago in France and Paul Treu’s team is amongst the tournament favourites for the Sevens world crown, a feat, if achieved, would be unique and unmatched in world rugby history.
“You are the best in your positions and the best South Africa has to offer. Our country is Sevens mad at the moment and that is because of your wonderful achievements in Dubai and George last year, and also the manner in which you represent your country every time you guys pull the national colours over your heads,” said De Villiers when he spurred the team on to deliver their best over the next few days.
De Villiers was accompanied by SARU CEO Johan Prinsloo and SARU vice-president Rautie Rautenbach.
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