South Africa make four changes to starting XV ahead of Wallabies Test

[travelling_gerry]

South Africa make four changes to starting XV ahead of Wallabies Test

July 20, 2010 South Africa have made four changes to their starting XV for the Tri Nations Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday night.
After dropping their opening two games of the series to New Zealand, the Springboks have injected Stormers winger Gio Aplon, Sharks halfback Ruan Pienaar and Sharks openside flanker Ryan Kankowski.

In the other change, interchange prop B.J. Botha swaps places with C.J. van der Linde in the starting side.

Aplon replaces Jean de Villiers, Piennar slots in for Ricky Januarie while Kankowski displaces Francois Louw following the Springboks' second straight loss -- last weekend's 31-17 defeat in Wellington.

The All Blacks picked up where they left off from after the 32-12 thrashing in the Tri-Nations opener at Eden Park.

Kiwi critics have panned the 2007 World Cup winners as being off the pace and tired following their opening losses.

The words seemed to be ringing in Springboks coach Peter de Villiers' ears when quizzed on his changes on Tuesday.

"We have to bring some speed into our team," he said.

But captain John Smit added: "Tri-Nations is probably the quickest of all the tournaments we play -- I wouldn't say it is catching us by surprise.

The Springboks also have injury dramas with lock Andries Bekker ruled out of the Brisbane clash with a back injury suffered in the 31-17 defeat.

South Africa are already without first choice secondrower Bakkies Botha, who was banned for nine weeks after headbutting New Zealand halfback Jimmy Cowan in the opening round defeat.
AAP


http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...016959,00.html

[zimeric]

Bekker is a big loss.. scuse the pun, and certainly Bakkies and Jean Devilliers missing as well are a boon for the Wallabies as all three are world class at their best.

Pity they have very able replacements with Aplon possibly/maybe being the weakest due to his relatively small size (which he certainly makes up for in elusiveness and toughness)... theyve lost 5%.. if that, of their strength overall with those omissions...
I dont like to call it but given the Wallabies obvious weaknesses i think the Boks will take it.. but only just.

[GIGS20]

Do you really think they've lost 5%?

Aplon is far more elusive than De Villiers and plenty brave enough in the tackle for his size not to be a huge issue. De Villiers hasn't made the transition to wing well at all.

Kankowski for Louw might seem like a bit of a loss, but Kankowski really gives you a second Pierre Spies to look after...that'll be difficult!

And Pienaar for Januarie, as halfbacks they're even, possibly a loss, but Pienaar adds the kicking game which the Boks desperately need, in that way he's a bit like Du Preez and I think the Boks will eat up his style of play.

You could (and I hope I did) argue that the Boks will be stronger with those changes.

Heart is still saying strong Wallabies, but realistically, I'm preparing it for a shock!

[Hoolly Doolly]

I would have swapped kankowski for spies who's work rate imo was questionable against the AB's. Louw has been pretty solid. im a fan of him.
The backline will suffer without devilliers. Defensively theyre pretty tough but lack imagination in attack with steyn, olivier and fourie. if the outside backs are allowed more involvement theyre dangerous.

SA looked smoother when pienaar came on.

[pieter blackie]

15 Zane Kirchner (Vodacom Bulls) – 9 caps
14 Gio Aplon (Vodacom Stormers) – 6 caps
13 Jaque Fourie (Vodacom Stormers) – 59 caps
12 Wynand Oliver (Vodacom Bulls) – 31 caps
11 Bryan Habana (Vodacom Stormers) – 62 caps
10 Morné Steyn (Vodacom Bulls) – 17 caps
9 Ruan Pienaar (The Sharks) – 42 caps
8 Pierre Spies (Vodacom Bulls) – 33 caps
7 Ryan Kankowski (The Sharks) – 14 caps
6 Schalk Burger (Vodacom Stormers) – 59 caps
5 Victor Matfield (Vodacom Bulls) – 97 caps
4 Danie Rossouw (Vodacom Bulls) – 50 caps
3 BJ Botha (Ulster) – 24 caps
2 John Smit (The Sharks, captain) – 98 caps
1 Gurthrö Steenkamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 27 caps
Reserves
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle (Vodacom Bulls) – 14 caps
17 CJ van der Linde (Vodacom Cheetahs) – 61 caps
18 Flip van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps
19 Dewald Potgieter (Vodacom Bulls) – 5 caps
20 Francois Hougaard (Vodacom Bulls) – 1 cap
21 Butch James (Bath) – 39 caps
22 Juan de Jongh (Vodacom Stormers) – 4 caps

---------- Post added at 20:54 ---------- Previous post was at 20:50 ----------

11 out of the 22 from the Bulls
5 from the Stormers
3 Sharks
1 Cheetah
2 that did not play in the Super 14 (Bath and Ulster)

[jono]

our defense should hold them out,
steyn to kick at every opportunity
Joc to play fullback in defense