Heyneke Meyer makes changes in Sprinboks – Rugby News Update
Heyneke Meyer, the head coach of South Africa has called up three new members to the Springboks squad that will take on England for the second of a three-match test series.
England lost the first-test 22 – 17 at Durban last Saturday and will be hoping to win at Johannesburg this week, while Meyer will be looking to sustain the lead.
He said, "This weekend will be a big challenge yet again against a good England side, but our focus is still on ourselves. We need to show further improvement from last weekend and have to make a step up this weekend. We have confidence in all the players
in our squad and that is why Pat, Werner and Bjorn have slotted in easily. Everyone knows what is needed this weekend and they have been very sharp at training. We now need to translate that to the match on Saturday."
South Africa has lost Coenie Oosthuizen, the 23-year-old prop to a bulging disc and he will not feature for the rest of the series. He had made his international debut against England last weekend, coming on as a substitute. He will be replaced by Werner
Kruger.
The other notable absentee is Zane Kirchner, the 27-year-old fullback, who is equally adept at playing in the centre. Kirchner has a knee problem, and he could yet play a part in the series. He is going to be replaced by Pat Lambie, 21-year-old Sharks fullback,
who has played for the Springboks 12 times, making his debut against Ireland at Lansdowne Road, on November 6, 2010.
Meyer would have been happy with the way his team played in the first game, even though they did not have that much time together. He has ruled out making any unnecessary changes, unless his hand is forced.
South Africa side to face England:
Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers (captain), Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Juandre Kruger, Marcell Coetzee, Willem Alberts, Pierre Spies
Replacements: Adrian Strauss, Werner Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Keegan Daniel, Ruan Pienaar, Wynand Olivier, Bjorn Basson
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