South African Rugby

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

South Africa build up to friday

The Springboks look set to make just one change for their World Cup game against the Poms at the Stade de France on Friday, Francois Steyn replacing injured Jean de Villiers.

However, Coach Jake White said he would not announce the definitive team until at most 48 hours before the match, though; the first team names on the list carry just the one change from the team that walloped Samoa 59-7 on Sunday.

White is playing games with the English on who he is going to select then again the English are using the Wilkinson injury for a bit of confusion.

"There are a couple of things I need to look at. Though the English I must say it is a bit of a shock that (Lawrence) Dallaglio is not in the 22," added White when informed the World Cup winning backrow forward had not been selected.

"They are going to give it all they can."

Steyn has already caught the eye with two stunning drop goals against Australia in a Tri Nations win earlier this year in South Africa but then played a shocking game against the Kiwis.

The only other doubt for South Africa concerns backrow forward Schalk Burger who before Tuesday's team announcement was cited for a dangerous tackle in the Samoa game

"We got a fax telling us that the video showed him tackling a player in the air. But we are confident he will be cleared."

The probable team to face England features two survivors from the 1999 World Cup quarter-final victory over England at the Stade de France - fullback Percy Montgomery - who will equal Joost van der Westhuizen's national record of 89 caps - and prop Os du Randt.

First line-up could be changed.

South Africa
Percy Montgomery;
JP Pietersen
Jaque Fourie
Francois Steyn
Bryan Habana
Butch James
Fourie du Preez
Danie Rossouw
Juan Smith
Schalk Burger;
Victor Matfield
Bakkies Botha
CJ van der Linde
John Smit (capt)
Os du Randt

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