South Africa named a full-strength side for their opening autumn international against Ireland on Saturday, with just one enforced change to the matchday 23 from the side that defeated the All Blacks in Johannesburg last month.
Loosehead prop Coenie Oosthuizen replaces the injured Marcel van der Merwe on the replacements bench as Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer sends out all his big guns for the clash against Joe Schmidt's side.
Meyer said he had thought of giving uncapped Lions prop Julian Redelinghuys a spot on the bench in the place of Van der Merwe, but opted for the greater experience of Oosthuizen.
“Although Julian Redelinghuys was also considered, he’s still new in the team and not familiar with our patterns of play and especially the lineout calls, while Coenie knows the way we play well,” said Meyer.
“Coenie is also in great shape and we know what he can do, especially if he has to make an impact off the bench. It’s good to have him back.“
Meyer admitted he had no problem handing 20-year-old sensation Handre Pollard the outhalf role on Saturday after his two-try performance against New Zealand.
“I’m a risk taker. You have to play guys like that, young players,” added Meyer at today’s team announcement at the Radisson Hotel in Stillorgan. “It’s great to have an experienced player like Pat Lambie and a younger player in the squad like Handre. I have known Handre for quite some time, he can take pressure. It’s a calculated risk, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”
Meyer also admitted his admiration for Ireland No 10 Johnny Sexton, adding: “He’s a very, very good tactical kicker, that’s something we have struggled with. If he can put us in corners it’s going to be a long day.”
Meyer believes that Ireland has developed well as a side under Schmidt and is well aware of the challenge facing the Springboks on Saturday evening.
“There is not a lot of difference between the top eight teams in the world,” admitted Meyer.
“As a team we have to respect our opponents. We have studied tapes of Ireland, they have a very, very good first phase, are very, very good in attack and are a very, very good all-round team.
“I truly believe Ireland are on the right track and have a good system and good depth. But we will try to focus on our game. If you want to be the best and you want to win you play your own game.”
Just five players who started the game between the sides in Dublin in 2012 remain in the starting XV this time around.
De Villiers led the Springboks in that 16-12 win, while Francois Hougaard played on the left wing as Ulster’s Ruan Pienaar took the scrumhalf berth.
Tighthead Jannie du Plessis was in the frontrow, Etzebeth was at lock and Duane Vermeulen played number eight. Marcell Coetzee started on the bench that day, but will start Saturday’s game at blindside flanker.
South Africa’s points scorers from the game are both on the bench, with try-scorer JP Pietersen and Lambie (three penalties and a conversion) joined by hooker Adriaan Strauss, who went up against South African-born namesake Richardt, who was making his Ireland debut.
SOUTH AFRICA (v Ireland): Willie le Roux; Cornal Hendricks, Jan Serfontein, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Francois Hougaard; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis; Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield; Marcell Coetzee, Oupa Mohoje, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Cobus Reinach, Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen.
