Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has handed first Test starts to scrumhalf Francois Hougaard and lock Flip van der Merwe for the Tri-Nations match against New Zealand in Soweto on Saturday.


De Villiers made seven changes and one positional switch on Tuesday to the team that lost to Australia on July 24.

Wing JP Pietersen, centres Jean de Villiers and Juan de Jongh, flank Juan Smith and prop Jannie du Plessis were also recalled for the struggling Springboks – who have lost all three of their games in this year’s competition.

Gio Aplon moves from wing to fullback in place of the injured Zane Kirchner.

Hougaard, 22, will earn his first start at No 9 after making his name as a wing for the Bulls.

Kick-off is at 17:00.

Teams:

Springboks:

15. Gio Aplon, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean de Villiers, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Juan Smith, 6. Schalk Burger, 5. Victor Matfield, 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. John Smit, 1. Gurthro Steenkamp

Substitutes: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. CJ van der Linde, 18. Danie Rossouw, 19. Francois Louw, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Butch James, 22. Wynand Olivier

21 Responses to Hougaard & Flip start for Springboks

  • 1

    Dis seker die rekord vir die meeste cullerts in ‘n bok backline. Glad nie ‘n slegte span nie. Ek is optimisties oor die game.

  • 2

    Please snorrie please don’t sub Francois Hougaard

  • 3

    Jean en Juan as kombinasie kan net kookwater wees. Baie giftige backline die

  • 4

    Kom ons hoop nou dat Snorre aanvaar daar is meer as een manier om te speel, Gio behoort van agter af heelwat te kan “spark”

  • 5

    If Danie is injured and can’t start, why the hell is he on the bench?
    The show pony is still at 8…………….
    I fear that we might get another snot klap.

  • 6

    No surprises… even Flip at No 4 is no surprise, seeing as Danie’s struggling with a niggle.

  • 7

    @5 Loosehead:

    Hahaha SHOW PONY 🙂

    So true nowadays

  • 8

    Mmmmm, yes, Spies will have to start doing something, should’nt he?

  • 9

    I think Hougie’s going to fit well in this role. He’s a sharp lad.

  • 10

    @9 bos_otter:

    Just wish he had more game time in the S14 and playing wing. Then he would be really sharp! Anycase, after FdP and RP noiw our best choice I would say.

  • 11

    goooooooooooooooooodafternoon everyone!!

    jeez, what a lekker hectic 2 days this have been
    yep
    been
    busy as a bee
    busy
    busy
    busy!! 😀

  • 12

    One can change players as much as you like but if you do not adapt the game plan to suit the players thus chosen, then you’ve still got a massive problem.

    Hearing that they are still stuck in their kick-and-chase approach, and forcing Hougie to do the same, properly puts the shivers down my spine….

  • 13

    Playing under the current game plan is like having a set of wonderful Ping Golf Clubs, but leaving your putter at home when you go play golf…

  • 14

    But perhaps it is in the makeup of the loose trio where the Bok coach and his allies face the most searching examination on Saturday.

    So obviously cleaned up at the breakdown on the away leg of the competition, they continue to resist fielding a specialist fetcher in the national side and if recent history repeats itself in Soweto, there will quite rightly be media and public hell to pay for them.

    Either that, or substitute forward Francois Louw may be urged to strip off his tracksuit with surprising haste against Messrs McCaw and company – even as early as the first half, perhaps.

  • 15

    I got two wrong for my starting line up…hows that competition doing…what do I win, a Lamborghreenie?

  • 16

    15@ 4man:
    Jy kry 1 silwer sterretjie oppie koppie..

  • 17

    die pak lyk sommer beter met juan daar gaan die blacks klap en juan sal die vuur voor aan steek

  • 18

    Closest Team Picked by-

    biltongbek
    August 15th, 2010 at 7:03 PM
    As far as I know Jaque Fourie is still banned for that test.
    1. Guthro
    2. John Smit
    3. Jannie du Plessis
    4. Danie Rossouw
    5. Vicki
    6. Schalk
    7. Juan Smith
    8. P. Spies but would have loved to see Duane Vermeulen
    9. Hougaardt
    10. Morne
    11. Habana
    12. Jean de Villiers
    13. Juan de Jongh
    14. JP Pietersen
    15 Gio Aplon

  • 19

    Maraai sê vir Gatiep:- Djy moet nie dink djy sal by die Hemel se hek kan ingaan as djou asem so na drank ruik!!!!

    Gatiep – Ja Meraai, djy hou djou baaaie slim nê – maar daar is ‘n technical point van Hemel tu gaan wat djy nie van weetie, my asem gaan nie saamie…….!

  • 20

    BWAHAHA!!!
    Shot Super! 🙂

  • 21

    18 @ superBul:
    En julle dog ek verstaan nie vir PDV nie.

    Hy is soos daai oom wat in die tronk is, jy wil nie graag oor hom praat nie, maar djy ken vir hom.

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