The British and Irish Lions are planning to take on the Springboks at their own traditional strengths in the series of three Tests in June and July.

That was the reaction on Tuesday from a panel of experts approached by Sport24 following the announcement of the squad for the tour of 10 games in South Africa.

Alan Solomons, Eddie Jones, Jake White and Cobus Visagie all agreed that Ian McGeechan (head coach) made a good selection and believe the Lions will take South Africa on physically.
“The Lions are not going to be out to entertain. They have picked a very physical squad,” said Solomons, who is a former Bok assistant coach and has also been at the helm of Irish side Ulster.
He believes the choice of Paul O’Connell as captain, as well as three physical scrumhalves – Mike Phillips, Harry Ellis and Tomas O’Leary – underline that point.
“O’Connell was a very good choice as captain. He has done an excellent job at Munster and has a hard edge,” said Solomons.
“Mike Phillips reminds me of Robert du Preez (a former Blue Bulls and Springbok scrumhalf). All the scrumhalves are big and physical.
“Mike Blair and Dwayne Peel (who were omitted) are more classic scrumhalves that are perhaps better passers of the ball. This sends a clear signal on how the Lions intend playing.
“The two flyhalves (Stephen Jones and Ronan O’Gara) are good at game management. They kick well at goal and their tactical kicking is also good.”

Jones, a former Wallaby boss who coached Saracens until recently, also believes the Lions have picked a squad that can stand their ground physically.
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Recent Results:
2007 South Africa won 15-6 Stade de France, Paris WC Final
2007 South Africa won 36-0 Stade de France, Paris WC Pool
2007 South Africa won 55-22 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
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2006 South Africa won 25-14 Twickenham, London
2006 England won 23-21 Twickenham, London
2004 England won 32-16 Twickenham, London
2003 England won 25-6 Subiaco Oval, Perth WC Pool
2002 England won 53-3 Twickenham, London
2001 England won 29-9 Twickenham, London
2000 England won 25-17 Twickenham, London
2000 England won 27-22 Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein

Bok coach Peter de Villiers named the Springbok team that’ll take on the English at Twuckenham on Saturday.

“Tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis came into the front row in place of his injured brother Bismarck, with John Smit moving inside to hooker. There was also a change in the back row where Danie Rossouw is promoted from the bench to replace Juan Smith who took a blow to the head against Scotland and has not fully recovered.

The back division is unchanged – with Fourie du Preez still not fully recovered from a quadriceps injury – while there were two changes on the bench.

Flanker Heinrich Brussow could make his Test debut if he is called into action while Chiliboy Ralepelle covers for John Smit. They replace Rossouw and the injured Gurthro Steenkamp.

The team is as follow (test caps in brackets):

1. Beast Mtawarira (9)
2. John Smit (capt) (80)
3. Jannie du Plessis (6)
4. Bakkies Botha (54)
5. Victor Matfield (79)
6. Schalk Burger (48)
7. Danie Rossouw (35)
8. Pierre Spies (18)
9. Ricky Januaries (33)
10. Ruan Pienaar (26)
11. Bryan Habana (45)
12. Jean de Villiers (45)
13. Adi Jacobs (20)
14. JP Pietersen (23)
15. Conrad Jantjes (23)

Reserves:

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle (2)
17. Brian Mujati (11)
18. Andries Bekker (12)
19. Ryan Kankowski (6)
20. Heinrich Brussow (-)
21. Frans Steyn (26)
22. Jaque Fourie (35)

Source: sarugby.co.za

Nine South Afican Rugby players have been invited to play for the Barbarian team against the Wallabies at Wembley Stadium next month in London. They are:

Fourie du Preez; Gurthro Steenkamp; Nick Koster; Jean de Villiers; Bakkies Botha; Schalk Burger; Bryan Habana; John Smit and 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 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

The Springbok management has confirmed that Vodacom Chedetahs hooker Adriaan Strauss will replace the suspended Birmarck du Plessis in the Springbok squad. The 23-year old Strauss received his call-up to national duty after a Sanzar judicial hearing suspended Du Plessis for three weeks following an incident during the Vodacom Tri-Nations match on Saturday in Dunedin between the Springboks and the All Blacks. He arrives early Tuesday morning in Perth.

Springbok management also announced they would not be appealing against the three-week suspension.

Du Plessis was found guilty of breaching Law 10.4(k) by making contact with the eye area of New Zealand flanker Adam Thompson in Saturday’s historic clash at Carisbrook.

Strauss is the second hooker to join the Springbok camp in as many weeks after Vodacom Western Province hooker Schalk Brits flew in to Wellington following the withdrawal through injury of Bok captain John Smit, who subsequently underwent a groin operation late last week.

Source: sarugby.com