Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has announced a line-up showing three changes and two positional switches for their third Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test of 2013 – against Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Up front, Bismarck du Plessis takes over at hooker and vice-captain from Adriaan Strauss, while Flip van der Merwe will pack down at lock in place of Juandré Kruger. Strauss and Kruger move to the replacements bench.
At the back, Willie le Roux shifts from fullback to right wing in the place of Bjorn Basson, with Bryan Habana moving over to the left. Zane Kirchner, who is back to full fitness following a hand injury earlier in the season, will start his first Test of the year at fullback.
DHL Stormers and WP star Jean de Villiers will, once again, captain the Boks in what will be his 90th Test for his country, with forwards Duane Vermeulen, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi all named in the Springbok 23.
“A few of these changes are purely rotational in order to give guys with fresh legs a go, while others are simply a case of horses for courses,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
“We're fortunate to be in a position to rotate players of the calibre of Bismarck and Adriaan, while we felt this was the right opportunity to give Flip and Zane a go in the starting team.
“In the end, the most important factor still remains consistency in selection. In our squad, any player can slot in at any stage, and that is a good position to be in.”
Meyer reiterated the massive challenge of playing Australia at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday evening and said that the Springboks were looking forward to testing themselves against one of the best sides in the world. “If we are going to progress as a team, we need to start winning away from home and Saturday's Test provides this challenge.
“It's no use looking at history now – we have to focus on the Test, ensure we tick the right boxes and improve in the areas where we let ourselves down in Mendoza.”
The Springbok team to face Australia in Brisbane is:
15. Zane Kirchner (Leinster, Ireland – 24 caps)
14. Willie le Roux (GWK Griquas – 5 caps)
13. JJ Engelbrecht (Vodacom Blue Bulls – 6)
12. Jean de Villiers (DHL Western Province – 89, captain)
11. Bryan Habana (Toulon, France – 88)
10. Morné Steyn (Stade Francais, France – 47)
9. Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, N. Ireland – 68)
8. Duane Vermeulen (DHL Western Province – 9)
7. Willem Alberts (The Sharks – 23)
6. Francois Louw (Bath, England – 21)
5. Flip van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls – 28)
4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Western Province – 16)
3. Jannie du Plessis (The Sharks – 47)
2. Bismarck du Plessis (The Sharks – 50)
1 Tendai Mtawarira (The Sharks – 46)
Replacements:
16. Adriaan Strauss (Toyota FS Cheetahs – 26)
17. Gurthrö Steenkamp (Toulouse, France – 42)
18. Coenie Oosthuizen (Toyota FS Cheetahs – 7)
19. Juandré Kruger (Racing Metro, France – 13)
20. Siya Kolisi (DHL Western Province – 4)
21. Jano Vermaak (Toulouse, France – 1)
22. Pat Lambie (The Sharks – 25)
23. Jan Serfontein (Vodacom Blue Bulls – 5)