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South Africa may have named their most experienced team yet, to face Australia in the World Cup quarterfinal on Sunday, but ongoing concerns over injured lock Bakkies Botha remains a major headache.
Botha was not considered for selection for the team to face the Wallabies at the regional Stadium in Wellington, due to the recurrence of an Achilles Heel injury suffered during training on Wednesday.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers admitted in might be the end of Botha's World Cup campaign.
Despite his absence De Villiers named the most experienced team in Springbok history.
De Villiers made three changes to the team that started against Samoa - one of the changes forced by injury - in a combination featuring 836 caps, surpassing the previous record of 815 posted against Wales in the team’s opening match in the tournament.
Captain John Smit and loosehead prop Gurthrö Steenkamp return to the front row, while Jean de Villiers resumes his place in the No.12 jersey in place of Frans Steyn, who suffered a tournament-ending shoulder injury in the 13-5 victory over Samoa last week.
Tendai Mtawarira drops out of the matchday 22, with CJ van der Linde's utility value earning him a spot on the bench.
The starting XV includes eight players who started in the 2007 World Cup Final as well as three players who were part of the squad.
Only Pat Lambie, Morné Steyn and Heinrich Brüssow - of the starting team - were not involved in 2007, while Pierre Spies was originally selected but had to withdraw due to illness.
Bismarck du Plessis drops to the bench, where he is joined by Van der Linde, Willem Alberts and Francois Louw, who were all replacement forwards against Samoa.
The versatile Francois Hougaard retains his place among the back replacements, where he is joined by flyhalf Butch James and outside back Gio Aplon.
South Africa: 15 Pat Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Willem Alberts, 19 Francois Louw, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Butch James, 22 Gio Aplon.
Date: Sunday, October 9
Venue: Regional Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 18.00 (05.00 GMT)
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Dave Pearson (England, Romain Poite (France)
TMO: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
http://www.rugby365.com/all_news/sa/news/2803604.htm
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