Matfield back for Boks
2008-06-12 14:01
Johannesburg - Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has made four changes to his team for the second Test against Six Nations champions Wales in Pretoria on Saturday.
De Villiers has overhauled his frontrow and brought back World Cup winners Ricky Januarie and Victor Matfield for the second Test. The Springboks won the first Test in Bloemfontein, 43-17, last weekend.
In the new-look front row, which battled somewhat in the scrums in the first Test, the experienced BJ Botha replaces Brian Mujati, who was on debut last week, while newcomer Tendai Mtawarira will debut in place of Gurthro Steenkamp on the loosehead side of the scrum.
Scrumhalf Januarie, who missed last weekend's match after serving a one-week ban because of indiscipline, replaces Bolla Conradie, while Matfield returns to the second row to partner long-time teammate Bakkies Botha.
There are also changes on the replacements bench with loose forward Ryan Kankowski and utility back Francois Steyn getting a first chance since De Villiers replaced World Cup winning coach Jake White as coach in January this year.
Prop Gurthro Steenkamp, lock Andries Bekker and scrumhalf Conradie, players who all started in Bloemfontein, will be on the bench.
Team:
Conrad Jantjes; Tonderai Chavangha, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Butch James, Ricky Januarie; Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Luke Watson; Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, BJ Botha, John Smit (capt), Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Bolla Conradie, Francois Steyn, Percy Montgomery.
- AFP