South Africa v British & Irish Lions 2009 Test 1
South Africa name Cheetahs flanker Heinrich Brussow to face British and Irish Lions
From correspondents in Durban, South Africa
June 17, 2009
Springboks flanker Heinrich Brussow completed a dramatic turnaround when he was chosen to face the British and Irish Lions in the first Test at Absa Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
The Cheetahs fetcher, excluded from the original 28-man squad for the three-Test series, was drafted in Monday because of doubts concerning the fitness of Schalk Burger.
Stormers and Western Province loose forward Burger has been battling to overcome a calf injury sustained playing in the Super 14 series, and Springboks coach Peter de Villiers had no hesitation in calling up Brussow.
"I was disappointed to miss out on selection into the original squad, which has a lot of great players, but I am very happy about my change of fortune," Brussow said.
"Playing against the Lions is a great challenge because they are a very good team, but the fact that I have already faced them with the Cheetahs will benefit me."
Brussow first wore the Springboks jumper last November, playing as a replacement in the Test win against England at Twickenham.
John Smit skippers the Boks again from the tighthead prop position, with Francois Steyn getting the fullback berth and Ruan Pienaar passed fit to start at fly half.
Bulls five-eighth Morne Steyn was named on the bench.
South Africa Team To Play British And Irish Lions
1. Tendai Mtawarira,
2. Bismarck du Plessis,
3. John Smit (capt),
4. Bakkies Botha;
5. Victor Matfield,
6. Heinrich Brussow,
7. Juan Smith,
8. Pierre Spies,
9. Fourie du Preez;
10. Ruan Pienaar,
11. Bryan Habana;
12. Jean de Villiers,
13. Adrian Jacobs,
14. JP Pietersen,
15. Francois Steyn;
16. Gurthro Steenkamp,
17. Deon Carstens,
18. Andries Bekker,
19. Danie Rossouw,
20. Ricky Januarie,
21. Jaque Fourie,
22. Morne Steyn
