Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has given us a good indication of what his starting lineup will look like for the first Tri-Nations match against the All Blacks at the Westpac stadium next month.
De Villiers has recalled the "naughty" Ricky Januarie to the starting lineup for the second test against Wales to partner Butch James at halfback while he's gone for two Sharks props Beast Mtawarira and BJ Botha. World Cup legend Victor Matfield returns to lock alongside Bakkies Botha.
On the bench, Danie Rossouw makes way for Ryan Kankowski while the talented Frans Steyn gets a nod ! on the bench. The position in which the 21 year old is sent on will be where coach de Villiers will play him for the rest of the season. The popular theory is that Steyn will be brought on at outside centre in the second half to partner Jean de Villiers but it could also be possible that Steyn will replace Butch James at flyhalf with Percy Montgomery taking over from Conrad Jantjes at fullback.
In the long term, Luke Watson's future still looks uncertain with the return of Schalk Burger imminent. If the Stormers hardman puts in another stellar performance at the weekend, the coach will be left with no choice but to move Watson to number eight at the expense of Pierre Spies.
Interesting times ahead.
The Springbok team to play Wales at Loftus:
15. Conrad JANTJES; 14. Tonderai CHAVHANGA; 13. Adrian JACOBS; 12. Jean DE VILLIERS;11. Bryan HABANA; 10. Butch JAMES; 9. Ricky JANUARIE; 8. Pierre SPIES; 7. Juan SMITH; 6. Luke WA! TSON; 5. Victor MATFIELD; 4. Bakkies BOTHA; 3. BJ BOTHA; 2. Jo! hn SMIT (c);1. Tendai MTAWARIRA
16. Bismarck DU PLESSIS; 17. Gurthrö STEENKAMP; 18. Andries BEKKER; 19. Ryan KANKOWSKI; 20. Bolla CONRADIE; 21. Francois STEYN; 22. Percy MONTGOMERY
