FEATURED

Damian teams up with Jean

PUBLISHED: August 13, 2014


DHL Western Province ace Damian de Allende will make his Springbok debut next to returning national captain Jean de Villiers when South Africa open their Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (kick-off 17h00).

De Villiers is one of three returning Springboks who played no part in the Castle Lager Incoming Series because of injury. The others are Frans Malherbe and Eben Etzebeth, both from DHL Western Procince, and both of whom have been selected on the bench.

Junior Springbok captain Handré Pollard will get his second Test cap when he lines up between the experienced De Villiers and Ruan Pienaar, whilst Willem Alberts and Tendai Mtawarira are also back after missing the Scotland Test because of injuries.

At lock, Lood de Jager will have to fill the considerable boots of the injured Victor Matfield, but he will have the experienced Bakkies Botha next to him.

The big news, however, is around the selection of De Allende, who, after just 28 games for the DHL Stormers and an additional 24 appearances for DHL Western Province (since 2012), will make his Test debut in the Green & Gold of South Africa.

“It’s great to welcome back Jean, Willem, ‘Beast’, Eben and Frans, but I’m also very excited to see what Damian can do after he missed out on making his debut in June because of an injury,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.

“Jean and Damian have played together before, albeit not this way around. But Damian has experience of playing outside centre from his junior days and he got his break at inside centre when he had to step up in Jean’s place.

“Handré also deserved another opportunity and it will be good to see how he combines with Jean and Damian,” added Meyer, who has selected five DHL Western Province players in the matchday squad.

“Lood has improved a lot over the last couple of months and although it’s a big ask for him to fill the void left by Victor, I know he has the goods to deliver. He will be well-supported by Duane Vermeulen in the line-outs though.”

Meyer has moved Jan Serfontein, who had a very good series in June, to the bench as injury cover, with De Villiers and De Allende both returning from injuries, whilst experience pivot Morne Steyn will provide back-up at flyhalf and fullback.

“Jan was one of our best players in June, but Jean is our captain and was always going to return once he was fit again,” said Meyer.

“We’re up against a formidable opponent on Saturday and we can’t take any chances or make experiments. The players know they have to be switched on mentally and physically, otherwise it could become a long afternoon at Loftus.”

Pat Lambie will return to Durban on Wednesday to play for the Cell C Sharks in the Absa Currie Cup on Friday evening, when they host the Steval Pumas.

Meyer said: “Pat missed four months of Vodacom Super Rugby and although he made his return towards the end of the competition, it was felt that he could do with game time this weekend before we leave for Argentina and we’d like to thank the Sharks for agreeing to give him a run.”

The Springbok team to face Argentina in Pretoria is:

15. Willie le Roux – 15 caps
14. Cornal Hendricks – 3 caps
13. Damian de Allende – on debut
12. Jean de Villiers (captain) – 96 caps
11. Bryan Habana – 97 caps
10. Handré Pollard – 1 cap
9. Ruan Pienaar – 76 caps
8. Duane Vermeulen – 19 caps
7. Willem Alberts – 32 caps
6. Francois Louw – 30 caps
5. Lood de Jager – 3 caps
4. Bakkies Botha – 79 caps
3. Jannie du Plessis – 54 caps
2. Bismarck du Plessis (vice-captain) – 60 caps
1. Tendai Mtawarira – 55 caps

Replacements:
16. Adriaan Strauss – 34 caps
17. Trevor Nyankane – 4 caps
18. Frans Malherbe – 2 caps
19. Eben Etzebeth – 23 caps
20. Marcell Coetzee – 16 caps
21. Francois Hougaard – 28 caps
22. Morné Steyn – 56 caps
23. Jan Serfontein – 12 caps

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)