Handré Pollard
Junior Springbok captain Handré Pollard is one of five uncapped players who have been named in the Springboks’ match-23 for Saturday’s final encounter of the Castle Lager Incoming Series against Scotland in Port Elizabeth.
In total, the Springbok starting team shows six changes from the side which beat Wales by 31-30 in Nelspruit last weekend.
The four uncapped players on a new-look bench are Marcel van der Merwe (prop), Stephan Lewies (lock), Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje (loose forward) and Marnitz Boshoff (flyhalf). Also on the bench are Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Francois Hougaard and Zane Kirchner, none of whom have played any Test rugby yet this season.
Two players, Pollard and Marcell Coetzee, have not yet featured for the Springboks this year, while four of these are replacements who have been promoted to the starting team, namely Lwazi Mvovo, Schalk Burger, Lood de Jager and Coenie Oosthuizen.
Tendai Mtawarira (neck), Flip van der Merwe (knee) Willem Alberts (concussion) and Johan Goosen (knee) were not considered for selection this week. Goosen has been released from the squad and has returned to Bloemfontein to continue his final phase rehabilitation at the Toyota Cheetahs.
“We had to make a number of changes to the team and while team selection is never easy, especially this week when we had to make a few hard decisions, it’s been great to see the excitement under the players for this final Test of the series,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
“Our plans had always been to try a few new combinations this week against Scotland and I’m looking forward to see the guys grab their opportunities.”
Meyer said Pollard had always been part of his plans for the Castle Lager Incoming Series, but that his selection as SA Under-20 captain meant he could only join the squad this week.
“Handré is a very talented player and has a big opportunity this week, but he’ll have Fourie du Preez’s experience next to him, while he’s played a lot with Jan Serfontein before. It’s great to have the current and a former World Junior Player of the Year in the same backline.”
“The other new faces in the starting line-up have been part of our squad for some time and they all deserve a run.”
On the composition of the bench, Meyer commented: “Adriaan, Trevor, Francois and Zane know what it’s about while the other guys will bring energy and enthusiasm with them.”
“All of them deserve this chance. ‘Oupa’ still played Varsity and Vodacom Cup rugby earlier this season before he got an opportunity to play Vodacom Super Rugby for the Cheetahs because of injuries. He took his chance and now he’s on the cusp of making his Test debut,” said Meyer.
“Marnitz and Marcel have shone for their franchises this year and patiently waited in the last couple of weeks, always working hard and putting in everything at our training sessions. Stephan only joined us on Monday, but he made an impression already at our training camp in Durban last month and slotted in without any problems this week.”
“Marcel, Stephan, ‘Oupa’ and Marnitz all made their Vodacom Super Rugby debuts earlier this year following injuries to other players and it’s great to see so many younger players come through the ranks.”
The Springboks will face a confident Scotland side on Saturday after they’ve beaten the USA, Canada and Argentina on tour in the last three weeks.
“They are always a tough opponent, like we saw last year in Nelspruit, but our aim is to build on the two victories over Wales in the last fortnight,” said Meyer.
Meanwhile, Van der Merwe has joined a long list of injured players who will not play again this season after he was ruled out for six months following examination by specialists in Pretoria. He injured his posterior cruciate ligaments.
Mtawarira, who has a bulging disc in his neck and consulted with a specialist in Durban earlier this week, will be monitored for the next two weeks before a decision on his return to the field will be made.
The following players missed out on the entire or part of the Castle Lager Incoming Series because of injury: Jean de Villiers (knee), Damian de Allende (knee) Eben Etzebeth (foot), Jaque Fourie (ankle), Pat Lambie (bicep), Frans Malherbe (concussion), Scarra Ntubeni (foot), Pieter-Steph du Toit (knee), Franco van der Merwe (ankle), Arno Botha (knee), Pierre Spies (bicep), Louis Schreuder (hand), Gio Aplon (elbow), Juan de Jongh (pneumonia), Mtawarira, Van der Merwe, Alberts and Goosen.
Seven players based in France and England have been released to their clubs and were not available for selection this week. they are They are Gurthrö Steenkamp, Schalk Brits, Bakkies Botha, Francois Louw, Morné Steyn, Wynand Olivier and Bryan Habana.
Springbok team:
15 Willie le Roux – (14 caps, 30 Test points)
14 Cornal Hendricks – (2 caps, 10 Test points)
13 JP Pietersen – (53 caps, 80 Test points)
12 Jan Serfontein – (11 caps, 5 Test points)
11 Lwazi Mvovo – (8 caps, 5 Test points)
10 Handré Pollard – (uncapped)
9 Fourie du Preez (Vice-captain – 69 caps, 75 Test points)
8 Duane Vermeulen – (18 caps, 10 Test points)
7 Schalk Burger – (70 caps, 65 Test points)
6 Marcell Coetzee – (15 caps, 5 Test points)
5 Victor Matfield (Captain – 112 caps, 35 Test points)
4 Lood de Jager – (2 caps, 0 Test points)
3 Jannie du Plessis – (53 caps, 5 Test points)
2 Bismarck du Plessis (Vice-captain – 59 caps, 45 Test points)
1 Coenie Oosthuizen – (16 caps, 10 Test points)
Replacements:
16 Adriaan Strauss – (33 caps, 25 Test points)
17 Trevor Nyakane – (3 caps, 5 Test points)
18 Marcel van der Merwe – (uncapped)
19 Stephan Lewies – (uncapped)
20 Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje – (uncapped)
21 Francois Hougaard – (27 caps, 20 Test points)
22 Marnitz Boshoff – (uncapped)
23 Zane Kirchner – (28 caps, 25 Test points)
Stats and facts:
- The Springbok starting team boasts a total of 502 Test caps (157 in the backline and 345 in the forwards), while there are a further 91 caps worth of experience on the bench.
- South Africa and Scotland have played each other 24 times since 1906, with the Springboks winning 19 Tests and losing five. The Springboks have scored 597 points and 75 tries and conceded 264 points and 27 tries for an average score of 25-11.
- South Africa and Scotland last met on 17 November 2013 at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. The Springboks won 28-0, scoring four tries in the process.
- Victor Matfield will extend his record of 112 Tests for the Springboks as well as his record of 112 Tests as a lock for the Springboks.
- If he scores a try, Bismarck du Plessis will extend his record of nine Test tries for South Africa as a hooker. Bismarck and his brother Jannie will also be playing together in their 34th Test, which is a Springbok record for brothers.
- Schalk Burger will extend his record as the most capped Springbok flank, with 68 Tests in this position. He also shares the record with Juan Smith for the most Test tries as a flank (11).
- Handré Pollard will become Springbok No. 857.
- Coenie Oosthuizen will be starting at loose-head prop for the first time in a Test. Last year he played tight-head against France in his only other start.
- The whole front-row of Coenie Oosthuizen, Bismarck du Plessis and Jannie du Plessis comes from one school – Grey College in Bloemfontein. Adriaan Strauss (reserve hooker) as well as Marcel van der Merwe (reserve prop) are also old Grey pupils.
- The referee is Glen Jackson of New Zealand. This will be his first Test involving South Africa. The former Chiefs and Saracens flyhalf started refereeing in 2010.
Springbok Test match records at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium:
- Most points – 18 (5p, 1dg) by Morné Steyn on 20 August, 2011 against New Zealand.
- Most tries – one by JP Pietersen on 23 June, 2012 against England.
- Most conversions – none.
- Most penalty goals – five by Morne Steyn on 20 August, 2011 against New Zealand.
- Most drop goals – one by Morne Steyn on 20 August, 2011 against New Zealand
Apparently Johan Sadie also answered to the call of the Yen.
@ grootblousmile:
Dis reg, Gherkin visser.
61 @ dWeePer:
Yen moet hy maar gaan!
Just when you think SA media can’t get any less creative, they strike again… how many more headings with the words, “Meyer” and “excites”?
New combinations excite Meyer..2014-06-25
JP’s midfield move excites Meyer..Jun 4, 2014
Stars’ return excites Meyer..Nov 8, 2013
Meyer gets pretty damn excited if you ask me.
64 @ MacroBok:
Scotland team announcement coming up maybe I could ‘borrow’ the word and fit it in the headline somewhere 
Doesn’t sound like you are EXCITED about these headlines macro
@ Bullscot:
Scottish challenge excites Meyer?
66 @ MacroBok:
Thought of sweaty men in kilts excites Meyer?
Scotland team: 15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) 23 caps, 6 tries, 1 penalty, 33 points
14 Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors) 12 caps, 1 try, 5 points
13 Nick De Luca (Biarritz) 42 caps, 1 try, 5 points
12 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) 4 caps
11 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) 9 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) 14 caps, 1 try, 4 conversions, 4 penalties, 1 drop-goal, 28 points
9 Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) 11 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
1 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) 35 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) 76 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Geoff Cross (London Irish) 31 caps, 1 try, 5 points
4 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) 8 caps
5 Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) 7 caps, 1 try, 5 points, CAPTAIN
6 Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors) 6 caps, 1 try, 5 points
7 Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps
8 Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
Substitutes
16 Kevin Bryce (Glasgow Warriors) 1 cap
17 Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs) 28 caps
18 Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors) 59 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
19 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) 4 caps
20 Tyrone Holmes (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
21 Grayson Hart (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 caps
22 Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby) 2 caps
23 Peter Murchie (Glasgow Warriors) 2 caps
@ Scrumdown:
haha
Fransie making himself unavailable excites Meyer
@ Bullscot:
Geez Scottie, Matfield has seen more rugby than the entire Scotish team.
test rugby*
I exaggerate, make it they are about as experienced as our tight five 😀
@ MacroBok:
ha you must have read my mind as before the announcement I had already drafted the headline as it is in the article which alludes to your comment about experience, also managed to slip in your flavour of the moment word a bit further down, go on have a look I know you want to
72 @ MacroBok:
Ja most of the experience lies in the front row and their replacements
South Africa (Full Names)
15. Willie le Roux
14. Cornal Hendricks
13. Jon-Paul Roger “JP” Pietersen
12. Jan Lodewyk Serfontein
11. Lwazi Ncedo Mvovo
10. Handre Pollard
9. Petrus Fourie du Preez
8. Daniel Johannes Vermeulen
7. Marcell Cornelius Coetzee
6. Schalk Willem Petrus Burger Jnr.
5. Victor Matfield
4. Lodewyk de Jager
3. Dr. Jan Nathaniel “Jannie” du Plessis
2. Bismarck Wilhelm du Plessis
1. Coenrad Victor Oosthuizen
We have 2 Petrus’s, 2 Lodewyk’s and 2 players named victor… oh and a Nathaniel in the team
2 players called Jan
cheers for now gotta go
@ Bullscot:
Cheers bud
From the article
“Mtawarira, who has a bulging disc in his neck and consulted with a specialist in Durban earlier this week, will be monitored for the next two weeks before a decision on his return to the field will be made.”
Will be interesting what Jannie’s opinion will be next Monday.
@ Loosehead:
55
Not for long, rest assured 🙁
@ dwarslat:
Yep, the LH spot has been a quota stronghold for a while since Ettiene Finn selection in 2001?
Finn, Sephaka, Steenkamp, the Beast, The Trevor, a long list
😉
Watching soccer commentary on sabc three, the one guy believes everything is a conspiracy against the black man, and the other people make out the player to be such idiots, you could swear they are all world champions.
…. Pierre Spies (bicep), Louis Schreuder (hand)…..not considered due to injury?
Must be a printing error, or a very old list.
MacroBok wrote:
Who is the commentator, Malema or old Blades Mnizamande (sp)?
@ Hondo:#80
“Yep, the LH spot has been a quota stronghold for a while since Ettiene Finn selection in 2001?
Finn, Sephaka, Steenkamp, the Beast, The Trevor, a long list”
Fact, my good Nazi friend. Let’s deal with facts. Since 2001 (Fynn’s year), this was what we had to “tolerate” afa white loose heads were concerned.
Ollie Le Roux…..France, 23. 06. 2001
Robbie Kempson….NZ, 21. 07. 2001
Daan Human….Wales, 08. 06. 2002
Wessel Roux….Scotland, 16. 11. 2002
Christo Bezuidenhoudt…England, 18. 10. 2003
Os du Rand…. circa 2004
CJ v/d Linde….England, 18. 11. 2006
Deon Carstens….England, 26. 05. 2007
Just some that I could “uncover”.
So, do you agree that it is WRONG to say that the LH position has been a “quota stronghold for a while since Ettiene Fynn’s election in 2001?”
The fact that nobody took you on wrt your statement, is more of a worry to me than the statement you made.
Let’s deal with facts. Not our perception of “facts”.
@ Nama:
YWhat about Heineke Vd Merwe and Wiam Du Preez 😆
Our guys amassed a quiet substantial tests among them:
Fynn 2
Sephaka 24
Steenkamp 52
The Beast 55
The Treveor : 3
155 caps in total, not a negligible figure!
@ Hondo:
Yeah, add them as well. Doesn’t look like a “quota stronghold” with all these guys also getting a chance to stake a claim, does it? Can you really say that there was any better in the time that Gurthro and Beast ruled?
You obviously failed to mentioned the caps that Os earned on his own. Your agenda is too obvious. You’re losing your touch, my friend. Move on.
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