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Steyn handed flyhalf start
29/11/2006 11:03 - (SA)
Adnaan Mohamed, Son
London - Ruan Pienaar and Francois Steyn will form an exciting new halfback pairing when the Springboks tackle a World XV on Sunday.
"It will be really nice to see the two play together. Ruan didn't play much rugby (on the European tour) and will get an opportunity to play. Frans is familiar with the flyhalf position and it will be interesting to see how the two of them combine," White said after Tuesday's practice session at the Wasps training ground.
According to the Bok coach, the match will also give an opportunity to the guys coming into the side to show what they can do.
"A player like De Wet Barry has lots of Test experience at outside centre that can help a guy like Steyn. Players like Jean de Villiers, Monty (Percy Montgomery) and Breyton Paulse will not be there. To give players like Ruan and Frans an opportunity with a guy with 40 Tests behind his name can only give them more confidence," explained White.
Even though it is not an official Test match, White feels Sunday's clash will have the same intensity as an international.
"Yes, it is not a Test match, but it should be seen as an ideal opportunity to play against quality opposition. They (the World XV) have 532 Test caps between them, which means that they are a helluva experienced bunch of players," warned White.
"We saw how serious they were when we played them at Ellis Park. I can't just see them going through the motions. It will definitely have the intensity of a Test match on the field. It also gives us an opportunity to give a few youngsters an opportunity as well as to experiment with a few combinations," White added.
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Rugby
