By: Sihle Sikhakhane

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer on Wednesday announced a line-up with three changes and two positional switches to take on Australia at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

From the team that played in Mendoza in August against the same side for the Castle Larger Rugby Championship Test, Mayer decided that upfront, Bismark du Plessis take over at hooker and vice-captaincy from Adriaan Strauss. At the lock, Juandre Kruger will make way for Flip van der Merwe. Kruger and Strauss move to the replacement bench.

At the back, Willie le Roux shifts from fullback to right wing in the place of Bjorn Basson, with Bryan Habana moving over to the left. Zane Kirchner, who is back to full fitness following a hand injury earlier in the season, will start his first test of the year at fullback.

On the Springbok website Meyer said, “A few of these changes are purely rotational in order to give guys with fresh legs a go, while others are simply a case of horses for courses.”

“We’re fortunate to be in a position to rotate players of the calibre of Bismarck and Adriaan, while we felt this was the right opportunity to give Flip and Zane a go in the starting team. In the end, the most important factor still remains consistency in selection. In our squad, any player can slot in at any stage, and that is a good position to be in.”

Meyer reiterated the massive challenge of playing Australia at Suncorp on Saturday evening and said that the Boks are looking forward to testing themselves against one of the best sides in the world.

“If we are going to progress as a team, we need to start winning away from home and Saturday’s Test provides this challenge,” said Meyer.

Dur Plessis come in for Adraan Strauss in the match against Australia. Picture by: sarugby.com

“It’s no use looking at history now – we have to focus on the test, ensure we tick the right boxes and improve in the areas where we let ourselves down in Mendoza.”

The Springbok team to face Australia:                                                                                         

15 Zane Kirchner, 24 caps
14 Willie le Roux, 5
13 JJ Engelbrecht, 6
12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 89
11 Bryan Habana, 88
10 Morné Steyn, 47
9 Ruan Pienaar, 68
8 Duane Vermeulen, 9
7 Willem Alberts, 23
6 Francois Louw, 21
5 Flip van der Merwe, 28
4 Eben Etzebeth, 16
3 Jannie du Plessis, 47
2 Bismarck du Plessis, 50
1 Tendai Mtawarira, 46
Replacements
16 Adriaan Strauss, 26
17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 42
18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 7
19 Juandré Kruger, 13
20 Siya Kolisi, 4
21 Jano Vermaak, 1
22 Pat Lambie, 25
23 Jan Serfontein, 5