Springboks name team for Ireland clash
Thursday, 26 November 2009 20:55South African captain John Smit has been named at hooker in the side to play Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday in a team that shows six changes from that which played Italy last weekend.
Tendai Mtawarira and BJ Botha will line out at prop alongside the 92 times capped captain with experienced duo Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield in behind at lock.
The back row will be of considerable interest to Irish fans after the events of the Lions' tour this summer.
Heinrich Brussow is named at six and will play as the Springbok 'fetcher'. Schalk Burger, who was embroiled in a gouging controversy after an incident in which he was seen to attack the face and eye-area of Luke Fitzgerald in the opening seconds of the Lions' second Test, is named at seven.
Danie Roussouw, who had his involvement in the same game ended by a clash of heads with Brian O'Driscoll, replaces Ryan Kankowski at number eight.
There is one change in the backline with Wynand Olivier set to start at inside centre in place of the injured Adi Jacobs.
Munster man Jean de Villiers and Leinster's CJ Van de Linde have both been included on the replacements bench.
South Africa team to play Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday at 2.30pm:
15 Zane Kirchner
14 JP Pietersen
13 Jaque Fourie
12 Wynand Olivier
11 Bryan Habana
10 Morne Steyn
9 Fourie du Preez
8 Danie Rossouw
7 Schalk Burger
6 Heinrich Brüssow
5 Victor Matfield
4 Bakkies Botha
3 BJ Botha
2 John Smit
1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements:
16 Bismarck du Plessis
17 CJ van der Linde
18 Andries Bekker
19 Jean Deysel
20 Dewald Potgieter
21 Ruan Pienaar
22 Jean de Villiers
