The London Wasps and England lock is one of three changes to the Lions pack following their 26-21 defeat in the first Test in Durban and one of five changes overall to the starting line-up.

Head coach Ian McGeechan has also made four changes to his replacements bench as he goes in search of the victory that will keep the three Test series alive.

The changes made see Rob Kearney replacing the injured Lee Byrne at fullback, whilst Ugo Monye, Alun-Wyn Jones, Phil Vickery and Lee Mears make way for Luke Fitzgerald, Simon Shaw, Adam Jones and Matthew Rees respectively.

Changes among the replacements see Ross ford, Andrew Sheridan and Shane Williams drafted in and Alun-Wyn Jones drop down from the first Test starting XV to replace Donncha O’Callaghan.

Shaw will become one of the oldest players to play for the Lions in a Test side at 35 years and 9 months. The oldest is Neil Back, who played against New Zealand in 2005 at 36 years and 5 months.

Saturday’s game in Pretoria will be his 16th appearance for the Lions since making his debut against an Eastern Province Invitation XV in the first game of the 1997 tour. He will be one of three Lions making their starting debuts, joining the Leinster and Ireland duo of Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald.

Grand Slam champions Ireland supply seven players to the side, which will be their biggest representation for 62 Lions Tests stretching back to the third Test in South Africa in 1938. On that occasion there were eight Irishmen in a side that beat the Springboks 21-16 in Cape Town.

The all-Welsh front row that finished the first Test - Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees and Adam Jones - will become the third front row from one country to start a Test match for the Lions.

In 1955, it was another all-Welsh combination, Billy Williams, Bryn Meredith and Courtenay Meredith, that played in all four Tests in South Africa. They were followed in the second Test in 1968 by an all-English combination of Mike Coulman, John Pullin and Tony Horton.

British and Irish Lions: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O’Driscoll, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Paul O’Connell (captain), 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees , 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Sheridan , 17 Ross Ford, 18 Alun Wyn Jones, 19 Martyn Williams, 20 Harry Ellis, 21 Ronan O’Gara, 22 Shane Williams

Date: Saturday, June 27
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Time: 15:00 (13:00 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Assistant referees: Brice Lawrence (New Zealand), Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
TMO: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

Source: rugby365.com

Pic: england-rugby.com

6 February has been set as the date for the anouncement of the five South African Super 14 squads.

The announcement was made following a meeting between SA Rugby personnel and franchise coaches and chief executives in Johannesburg.

“It was a very good, positive meeting which allowed us to update the teams on Super Rugby matters and confirm a date for the naming of squads,” said Andy Marinos, the acting managing director of SA Rugby.

“The teams updated us on their injury situations and in the first week of February there will be a series of meetings between the individual coaches, Peter de Villiers, the selectors and myself before the submission of the final squads on February 6.”

The franchises were also updated on the outcomes of a SANZAR technical meeting in Sydney on December 4, including a briefing on the Laws from SARU referees’ manager Andre Watson. The franchises were also advised on the state of discussions regarding possible Super Rugby expansion and also discussed the commercial aspects around the alternatives.

Source: sarugby.co.za

Pic: daylife.com

“Free State Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brüssow is the other debutant.

South African squad:

Backs: Jean de Villiers (Western Province), Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls), Jaque Fourie (Golden Lions), Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls), Adrian Jacobs (Sharks), Conrad Jantjes (Western Province), Enrico Januarie (Western Province), Jongi Nokwe (Free State Cheetahs), Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Earl Rose (Golden Lions), Francois Steyn (Sharks).

Forwards: Andries Bekker (Western Province), Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls), Schalk Burger (Western Province), Heinrich Brüssow (Free State Cheetahs), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), Victor Matfield (Blue Bulls), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Blue Bulls), Brian Mujati (Western Province), Danie Rossouw (Blue Bulls), John Smit (captain), Juan Smith (Free State Cheetahs), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls), Gurthrö Steenkamp (Blue Bulls.

Brüssow (22) and Rose (24) were named among 28 players for Tests against Wales (November 8), Scotland (November 15) and England (November 22).

The inclusion of Rose in a team that has no specialist flyhalf is a major shocker – even more so if Rose’s very poor form in the Super 14 and Currie Cup this year is taken into consideration.

It once again raises the question: ‘Are all the selections for purely rugby reasons?’

What makes this even more surprising is that the Bok coach claims this is the “strongest” squad.

“We have named what we believe is the strongest squad,” De Villiers said.

“It has been selected from the players we used during the Tri-Nations, as well as the form players in the Currie Cup.

“With the British & Irish Lions heading to South Africa [in June next year], these Tests are as important as any we have undertaken since our re-admission in 1992.”

De Villiers’ statement makes very little sense.

Surely he can’t be serious if he suggests that Rose had a better season than specialist flyhalves like the Blue Bulls’ Morné Steyn and Western Province’s Peter Grant.

World Cup-winning Bok flyhalf Butch James, despite playing for Bath in England and Europe.

James had declared his availability, but the team includes no overseas-based players.

De Villiers praised the form of the two new newcomers to the squad for their outstanding form in the Currie Cup.

“Both Earl and Heinrich really put their hands up in the Currie Cup,” said de Villiers.

“Earl’s form may have dipped at times but he has the ‘X’ factor you look for in a flyhalf and has time to develop while Heinrich has really burst onto the scene and is outstanding at contesting at the breakdown.”

At least Brüssow’s selection can be said to contain some merit.

De Villiers recalled four players from injuries of varying length: centre Jaque Fourie, No.8 Ryan Kankowski, lock Bakkies Botha  and  hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle.

The latter was rewarded for his long battle to regain fitness with a recall for the first time since 2006 – when he captained the Boks against a World XV in Leicester.

He made it clear that Ruan Pienaar is the first-choice at flyhalf – despite the players public declaration that he only wants to play scrumhalf.

“Ruan Pienaar is earmarked for the No 10 jersey as I’m looking to find a long-term successor to Butch James, following his decision to retire following the Lions tour next year.

“We decided against selecting players from overseas on this occasion as they we know they can slot in at any time but we felt that the time is right to give players like Ruan an opportunity in the No 10 jersey and we will be looking at John as a tighthead on this tour.”

The squad will assemble in Cape Town on Tuesday, October 28, and depart for the UK on Friday, October 31.

Players on standby: Peter Grant (Western Province), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Johann Muller (Sharks), Wynand Olivier (Blue Bulls), Adriaan Strauss (Free State Cheetahs), Heinke van der Merwe (Golden Lions), Jano Vermaak (Golden Lions).“

Source: rugby365.com

The Springbok team versus the Wallabies on Saturday in Johannesburg:

15. Conrad Jantjes
14. Odwa Ndungane
13. Adrian Jacobs
12. Jean de Villiers
11. Jongi Nokwe
10. Butch James
9. Fourie du Preez
8. Pierre Spies
7. Juan Smith
6. Schalk Burger
5. Victor Matfield (captain)
4. Andries Bekker
3. Brian Mujati
2. Bismarck Du Plessis
1. Beast Mtawarira

Reserves

16. Adriaan Strauss
17. Jannie du Plessis
18. Danie Rossouw
19. Luke Watson
20. Ricky Januarie
21. Ruan Pienaar
22 Percy Montgomery

15. Conrad Jantjes

14. JP Pietersen

13. Adrian Jacobs

12. Jean de Villiers

11. Jongo Nokwe

10. Butch James

9. Fourie du Preez

8. Pierre Spies

7. Juan Smith

6. Schalk Burger

5. Victor Matfield

4. Andries Bekker

3. CJ van der Linde

2. Bismarck du Plessis

1. Tendai Mtwarira

Replacements:

Adriaan Strauss; Brian Mujati; Joe van Niekerk; Luke Watson; Ricky Januarie; Frans Steyn; Percy Montgomery

Venue: ABSA Stadium Durban

Gates Open: 11:00

Kick-off: 15:00

Ticket Prices:

Adult – R425

Scholar – R125

Phone: 031-308 8400

The Sharks have a bye in the Absa Currie Cup this coming weekend and seeing that Ruan have been part of the squad for the greater part of this season, we thought it would make sense for us to involve him again, explained Andy Marinos, the Manager of National Teams.

Flanker Juan Smith, who returned home immediately after the match against the All Blacks on Saturday evening to visit his wife and newborn baby girl, rejoined the squad late Monday evening.

Source: sarugby.com

The Springbok team to play Argentina on Saturday the 9th August at Coca-Cola Park:

15. Conrad Jantjes
14. JP Pietersen
13. Adrian Jacobs
12. Jean de Villiers
11. Jongi Nokwe
10. Butch James
9. Enrico Januarie
8. Pierre Spies
7. Juan Smith
6. Luke Watson
5. Victor Matfield (captain)
4. Bakkies Botha
3. CJ van der Linde
2. Bismarck du Plessisv 1. Tendai Mtawarira

RESERVES

16. Adriaan Strauss
17. Brian Mujati
18. Andries Bekker
19. Joe van Niekerk
20. Fourie du Preez
21. Jaque Fourie
22. Percy Montgomery

Bolla Conradie, Jean  de Villiers, Peter Grant, Butch James, Conrad Jantjes, Adrian Jacobs, Ricky Januarie, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn.

Forwards:

Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Bismarck du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, John Smit (c), Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson.

The surprises in the group are probably foremost BJ Botha who did not make it. JP Pietersen have been included, but have not played a test match since the World Cup. Tonderai Chavanga, Schalk Brits and Gcobani Bobo from the Western Province also did not make the group.

Pieter de Villiers will name his first training squad since taking over as Springbok coach on Saturday 17 May. There is lots of speculation of who will be in and who not, so SARB has decided to add their two cents worth by putting together a 45 player squad we think should be there.

Forwards: Props: Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Jannie du Plessis, BJ Botha, Brian Mujati(if qualifies), Beast Mtawarira(if qualifies). Hookers : John Smit(captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Schalk Brits. Locks : Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Andries Bekker, Johan Muller, Barend Pieterse, Adriaan Fondse. Loose Forwards: Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Ryan Kankowski, Pierre Spies, Wikus van Heerden, Duanne Vermeulen, Luke Watson, Joe van Niekerk.

Backs: Scrumhalves: Fourie du Preez, Ricky Januarie, Rory Kockett. Flyhalves: Butch James, Pieter Grant, Morne Steyn. Centres: Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Waylon Murray, Wynand Olivier, Brad Barrit. Wings: Bryan Habana, Tonderai Chavanga, Akona Ndugane, Odwa Ndugane, Jongi Nokwe. Fullbacks: Conrad Jantjes, Pery Montgomery, Zane Kirchner. Utility backs: Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn, Meyer Bosman.

This is just an opinion, more that likely our new coach will have a few surprises up his sleeve when he announces his squad, and we are all waiting with eager anticipation for Saturday. The announcement will be broadcast on Supersport after the Sharks game, so around 21h00.

A poor performance by the Springbok XV, and some fantastic defence by the Barbarians made sure that the Baabaas spoiled Jake White’s last game in charge of the World Champions. To be fair the Bok XV were missing crucial members of the RWC winning squad with the likes of Matfield, Smit, Montgomery and Du Randt not on the end of year tour. Bakkies Botha and Schalk Burger were both declared unfit to face the Baabaas in the buildup to the game, but that makes no differance.

The Barbarians played better rugby and looked more hungry for the victory that the Springbok XV. The Barbarian club has a proud tradition playing against national touring sides and even though the European clubs forbade their players from playing in this game the Baabaas fielded a strong side and they simply outplayed the Bok XV. With Australian playmaker Matt Giteau at the fore the Barbarians defended like Trojans and created better scoring opportunities than the Bokke. They ran in 3 tries to 1 and walked off the field convincing victors by 22-5. None of the Bok XV players can feel overly satisfied with their performance, but Ryan Kankowski looks like a bright prospect for the future.

SARB would like this opportunity to thank Jake White for what he has done for SA Rugby, winning the RWC 2007 was a fantastic conclusion to his career as the Springbok coach and we would like to wish him all the best for the future.