Du Preez, Fourie back on bench

2008-08-05 14:47

Johannesburg - World Cup winners Fourie du Preez and Jaque Fourie have been named as reserves in South Africa's lineup for the Mandela Tribute Test against Argentina in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The return of the outstanding scrumhalf and outside centre will come as a welcome relief for the side, who will be without former IRB players of the year Bryan Habana and Schalk Burger.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers said on Tuesday that Habana (shoulder) and Burger (neck) were being rested ahead of the home leg of the Tri-nations.

"It's precautionary, we're blessed to be able to give them another week of recovery, but both could have played if we needed them," De Villiers said at the team announcement.

Du Preez (hand) and Fourie (groin) will be playing international rugby for the first time this year after injury and De Villiers said he believed they were ready for action.

"We will see what happens on the field in terms of when we can use them off the bench, but we know they are ready," De Villiers said.

Axed

Cheetahs wing Jongi Nokwe replaces Habana and wins his first cap as one of five changes to the starting lineup that was defeated by the Australians in Perth on July 19.

Apart from the rested Burger and Habana, outside centre Francois Steyn, hooker Schalk Brits and loosehead prop Gurthro Steenkamp have been axed.

Adrian Jacobs returns in place of Steyn, Bismarck du Plessis returns from suspension at hooker and Tendai Mtawarira moves from the bench to replace Steenkamp.

De Villiers said he had no doubts the 26-year-old Nokwe would be able to make the step up to Test duty.

"His selection is just reward because he showed his form in the Super 14 and Currie Cup. I would never bring a player in if I did not think he would be an asset. I trust Jongi and back him and I believe he will step up to the occasion."

De Villiers said the presence of Du Preez allowed them more kicking options against an Argentine side that favoured the boot.

"A kicking game was their flavour of the month in the World Cup and we do have Fourie du Preez back, so that is a huge asset for our kicking game," De Villiers said.

Team - 15-Conrad Jantjes, 14-JP Pietersen, 13-Adrian Jacobs, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Jongi Nokwe, 10-Butch James, 9-Enrico Januarie, 8-Pierre Spies, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Luke Watson, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Bakkies Botha, 3-CJ van der Linde, 2-Bismarck du Plessis, 1-Tendai Mtawarira.

Reserves: 16-Adriaan Strauss, 17-Brian Mujati, 18-Andries Bekker, 19-Joe van Niekerk, 20-Fourie du Preez, 21-Jaque Fourie, 22-Percy Montgomery.

- Reuters