DHL WP centre Juan de Jongh is on standby for the Springboks and could feature on the bench when South Africa take on New Zealand at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, in the final round of the 2013 Castle Lager Rugby Championship.
JJ Engelbrecht – who has a quad-muscle injury – has been bracketed at outside centre with Jan Serfontein, which means that DHL Western Province star De Jongh will come on to the bench if Engelbrecht is ruled out.
“We will give JJ all the time he needs to fully recover from his quad muscle injury, but if he can't make it, Jan will start with Juan on the bench,” explained Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
In other team news, prop Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira will play in his 50th Test for the Springboks.
The 28-year-old Mtawarira – who made his Test debut on June 14, 2008 against Wales in Pretoria – will become the 27th Springbok to reach 50 Test caps, following hot on the heels of his fellow front rankers, hooker Bismarck and tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis, as well as flyhalf Morné Steyn.
Mtawarira will also become the fifth prop to achieve this feat behind Os du Randt, CJ van der Linde, Ollie le Roux and Du Plessis Senior.
“What a wonderful achievement for Beast,” said Meyer. “He is someone who doesn't speak a lot, but you know he always gives everything he has for the Springbok jersey. It's always good to see hard work and dedication pay off like this.”
There are two changes to the Springbok team that beat Australia by 28-8 at DHL Newlands in Cape Town last weekend, as well as the possible change surrounding Engelbrecht.
Up front, Bismarck du Plessis rotates with Adriaan Strauss at hooker, while Juandré Kruger comes in at lock for Flip van der Merwe. Uncapped Lions lock Franco van der Merwe has been selected on the bench.
Meyer said: “Juandré will slot in without any difficulty as he's been part of the squad since day one and I'm very pleased for Franco, who has been training with us for more than a year already.
“Franco's attitude since day one has been fantastic, he's waited patiently and always stayed positive, which is what we as a team stand for. On Saturday, he could make his debut against New Zealand in front of his home crowd at Ellis Park on Saturday.”
DHL Stormers captain Jean de Villiers will win his 93rd cap on Saturday, whilst provincial teammates Duane Vermeulen (No.8) and Eben Etzebeth (lock) will also start for the Boks, with flanker Siya Kolisi on the bench.
The Springbok team to face New Zealand in Johannesburg is:
15. Zane Kirchner (Leinster, Ireland – 27 caps)
14. Willie le Roux (GWK Griquas – 8 caps)
13. JJ Engelbrecht (Vodacom Blue Bulls – 9) / Jan Serfontein (Vodacom Blue Bulls – 8)
12. Jean de Villiers (DHL Western Province – 92, captain)
11. Bryan Habana (Toulon, France – 91)
10. Morné Steyn (Stade Francais, France – 50)
9. Fourie du Preez (Suntory Goliath, Japan – 64)
8. Duane Vermeulen (DHL Western Province – 12)
7. Willem Alberts (The Sharks – 26)
6. Francois Louw (Bath, England – 24)
5. Juandré Kruger (Racing Metro, France – 16)
4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Western Province – 19)
3. Jannie du Plessis (The Sharks – 50)
2. Bismarck du Plessis (The Sharks – 53)
1 Tendai Mtawarira (The Sharks – 49)
Replacements:
16. Adriaan Strauss (Toyota FS Cheetahs – 29)
17. Gurthrö Steenkamp (Toulouse, France – 45)
18. Coenie Oosthuizen (Toyota FS Cheetahs – 10)
19. Franco van der Merwe (MTN Golden Lions – 0)
20. Siya Kolisi (DHL Western Province – 7)
21. Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, N. Ireland – 70)
22. Pat Lambie (The Sharks – 28)
23. Jan Serfontein (Vodacom Blue Bulls – 8) / Juan de Jongh (DHL Western Province – 14)