Rugby

South Africa make five changes for England game after Irish defeat

The Springboks have been quick to wield the axe with the experienced heads of Pietersen and Burger returning

Bismarck du Plessis is one of the five South African players to lose out after the Irish defeat. Photograph: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

Wed Nov 12 2014 - 13:53

South Africa have recalled World Cup winners JP Pietersen and Schalk Burger among five changes for Saturday's QBE International against England at Twickenham.

Both players were introduced during the Springboks 14-point loss to Ireland last Saturday although manager Heyneke Meyer insists that these changes are not the result of that performance.

Pietersen will start on the right wing and Burger at openside flanker and there is a new half-back combination of Cobus Reinach and Pat Lambie.

The fifth and final adjustment to the starting XV defeated 29-15 by Ireland in Dublin will see Adriaan Strauss start at hooker.

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Although Head coach Heyneke Meyer has retained the same 23 selected for last Saturday’s tour opener at the Aviva Stadium with Cornal Hendricks, Handre Pollard, Francois Hougaard, Teboho Mohoje and Bismarck du Plessis dropping to the bench.

Pre-planned changes

Meyer insists the changes were pre-planned rather than being a response to the loss to Ireland.

“Pat started at Twickenham for us two years ago and did very well,” said Meyer. He’s playing well at the moment and I wanted to give him the opportunity to start.

“Pat is tactically very astute and even though he’s still pretty young, he’s got a lot of experience. Adriaan, Schalk and JP have all started a number of Tests this year and they will slot in easily” he added.

“We decided beforehand that we wanted to start all of these players in one of the first two Tests on tour.

“Our performance against Ireland last weekend was not up to scratch and everyone in the touring squad has put up their hands and dug deep this week. We’ve really worked hard at fixing the mistakes we made and the challenge is now to put that into action on Saturday.”

Team and replacements

Team:W le Roux; JP Pietersen, J Serfontein, J de Villiers (capt), B Habana; P Lambie, C Reinach; T Mtawarira, A Strauss, J du Plessis, E Etzebeth, V Matfield, M Coetzee, S Burger, D Vermeulen.

Replacements: B du Plessis, T Nyakane, C Oosthuizen, B Botha, T Mohoje, F Hougaard, H Pollard, C Hendricks.

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