27 September 2011
Peter
de Villiers yesterday announced his team to face Samoa. As always there are a
couple of surprises in the team.
De Villiers opted for a fit again Victor Matfield to captain the team and dropped John Smit to the bench. This gives Bismarck du Plessis his first start of the tournament. Not a bad move as Bismarck is rated as the number one hooker in the world by many.
Bismarck is joined by his brother Jannie and
Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira to complete a Sharks front row. Victor
and Danie Rossouw will pack down behind them as the locks. Bakkies Botha is out
do to a hamstring injury he sustained against Namibia. Heinrich Brussouw at 6
and Schalk Burger at 7 are joined by Pierre Spies at 8 to complete the loose
trio.
Fourie du Preez once again partners Morne Steyn in the half back combination. Jacque Fourie will see Frans Steyn play at his outside. Brian Habana remains at 11 and JP Pietersen returns at 14. Pat Lambie completes the back line.
The bench consists of Jean de Villiers and Francois Hougaard covering the backs. John Smit, Guthro Steenkamp and CJ vd Linde covers the front rows. Francois Louw and Willem Alberts completes the bench.
What is surprising is that Peter keeps the best centre pairing split with Jean on the bench. And also that there is only two back line replacements on the bench. Samao is known to make some hard tackles and causing an injury or two. I for one would have loved to see the Cape Ferrari, Gio Aplon on the bench. And Bismarck please remember when you get replaced: "Smile and wave, just smile and wave.
Fourie du Preez once again partners Morne Steyn in the half back combination. Jacque Fourie will see Frans Steyn play at his outside. Brian Habana remains at 11 and JP Pietersen returns at 14. Pat Lambie completes the back line.
The bench consists of Jean de Villiers and Francois Hougaard covering the backs. John Smit, Guthro Steenkamp and CJ vd Linde covers the front rows. Francois Louw and Willem Alberts completes the bench.
What is surprising is that Peter keeps the best centre pairing split with Jean on the bench. And also that there is only two back line replacements on the bench. Samao is known to make some hard tackles and causing an injury or two. I for one would have loved to see the Cape Ferrari, Gio Aplon on the bench. And Bismarck please remember when you get replaced: "Smile and wave, just smile and wave.
