There are no real surprises in the Springbok team to play the Barbarians on Saturday at Wembley Stadium in London. Coach Allister Coetzee had made it clear he would give some of the newcomers a run, with no expectation on them making it into the Springbok team for the Test against England at Twickenham next Saturday. But if Coetzee wanted the opportunity to prepare his players for the England Test, this squad is not going to help him much. The only likely combination for the Twickenham game is the halfback pairing of Lambie and Paige. With Cheetahs coach Franco Smith helping take charge of the backline, let’s hope for some Barbarians-style rugby, even if Coetzee says this won’t happen. The Barbarians side includes 5 South Africans, but doesn’t appear strong enough or prepared enough to have the beating of the Boks. – David O’Sullivan
From Sport24
Pat Lambie will lead a new-look Springbok team, which includes six uncapped players in the starting line-up and a number of Currie Cup stars, against the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday.
The match-23 for the Springboks’ first of four outgoing tour matches includes a total of nine uncapped players, however, no Test caps will be awarded for this international fixture.
The newcomers in the starting line-up are RG Snyman (lock), Roelof Smit (flank), Jamba Ulengo (wing), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (inside centre), Francois Venter (outside centre) and Sergeal Petersen (wing).
Tendai Mtawarira (prop), Pieter-Steph du Toit (lock) and Oupa Mohoje (flank) are the only players in the pack that started for the Springboks against the All Blacks in Durban last month.
There is a return to the starting team for Lourens Adriaanse in the No 3 jersey in place of Vincent Koch who is not available for this match, while Julian Redelinghuys is injured. Snyman will partner Du Toit, the newly-crowned SA Rugby Player of the Year, in the second row.
Openside flank Smit comes in for the injured Francois Louw, while Jaco Kriel could also not be considered as a result of his injury. The final change in the pack will see Nizaam Carr taking over the No 8 jersey from Warren Whiteley who is also not available for this match.
The #Springboks have played the Barbarians in seven matches so far, with the Baabaas leading 4-3 head to head.
— EWN Sport (@EWNsport) November 3, 2016
The Boks will start with a revamped halfback pairing in Rudy Paige (scrumhalf) and new skipper Lambie (flyhalf), with regular captain, Adriaan Strauss, not in the match 23 as part of the succession planning in his position.
The rest of the backline consists of Ulengo, Janse van Rensburg, Venter, Petersen and Jesse Kriel, who will start his first match for the Boks at fullback.
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said the Springboks’ aim was to improve after a difficult season, but that it would not be easy against the Barbarians.
“The Barbarians play an attacking, adventurous style of rugby and it will be a real test for our young side,” said Coetzee.
“They have an excellent, world-renowned coach in Robbie Deans, exciting young players in their side, including some South Africans, as well as several players who have a lot of Test match experience.
I like the looks of the #Springbok team to face the #BaaBaas – good mix of youngsters and I love that midfield! Rohan and Francois!!! https://t.co/Lwm9WhFQIM
— Gareth Jenkinson (@gazza_jenks) November 3, 2016
“We rewarded several young players for their performances in Vodacom Super Rugby and the Currie Cup and we will approach this match as a Test, although no caps will be awarded.
“It will be a really big occasion for our young players, but we’re excited to be giving them an opportunity. Even though some of the experienced players were last in action against New Zealand four weeks ago, our preparation the past few weeks was really good.
“The excitement and enthusiasm of the new inclusions is contagious. In ideal circumstances I would’ve preferred to give every player in the squad a run, but this tour was also about introducing players who are on our radar for the future, while also introducing them to the Springbok way and ethos. I am sure they will work even harder to stay in the squad.”
The Springboks have played the Barbarians in seven matches so far, with the BaaBaas leading 4-3 in wins.
Kick-off is at 17:00 (SA time). – Sport24
Teams:
South Africa
15 Jesse Kriel, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Pat Lambie (captain), 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Beast Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Ruan Combrinck
Barbarians
15 Melani Nanai (Blues), 14 Matt Faddes (Highlanders), 13 Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders & New Zealand), 12 Richard Buckman (Highlanders & Panasonic), 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs, Panasonic & Australia), 10 Robert du Preez (Stormers), 9 Andy Ellis (Crusaders, Kobelco Steelers & New Zealand), 1 Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes), 2 Akker van der Merwe (Lions), 3 Paddy Ryan (Waratahs & Australia), 4 Martin Muller (Lions), 5 Michael Fatialofa (Hurricanes), 6 Brad Shields (Hurricanes), 7 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders & New Zealand)
Substitutes: 16 Andrew Ready (Reds), 17 Schalk van der Merwe (Montpellier), 18 Toby Smith (Rebels & Australia), 19 Sam Carter, (Brumbies & Australia), 20 Ruan Ackermann (Lions), 21 Nic Stirzaker (Rebels), 22 Richard Mo’unga (Crusaders), 23 Luke Morahan (Force & Australia)
Source: http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/lambie-leads-new-look-boks-v-baabaas-20161103
