By Thabo Daniels
Pretoria - Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer is not underestimating Japan, who the Springboks will meet in their opening World Cup match in Brighton, on Saturday.
SABC news reported that Meyer has named a side with a record 880 caps for the match.
This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides. The Boks have chosen a strong line-up.
Jean de Villiers will lead the team and will partner young Jessie Kriel in the midfield. Damien de Allende, who has done well this season, misses out to accommodate the skipper.
Fourie du Preez, who last played for the national team a year ago, will start from the bench.
Du Preez and flank Schalk Burger are playing their rugby in Japan. Meyer believes that having the two in his squad is an added advantage, because they know most of the Japanese players.
He says the 70-tests veteran du Preez still features in his plans and will be introduced gradually.
“He's a world class player, surely but slowly he is getting in there. He was superb at practice. He just needs some game. It’s better to use him from the bench. Ruan has done well and I believe in continuity.”
With Eben Etzebeth not fully recovered from a calf muscle injury, young Lood de Jager, will get another chance to partner Victor Matfield at lock.
“It’s great playing along Victor. He is calm. He brings a lot of calmness and experience to the team and helps a lot … what an amazing player!”
It’s been overcast and drizzling in Sussex, and the inclement conditions are likely to continue until the weekend.
The team includes 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Substitutes are 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Fourie du Preez, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 JP Pietersen. – SAnews.gov.za
