Peter de Villiers has named his 22 for the 1st test in Durban on Saturday 20 June.
He has found room for Francois Steyn in at full-back. Whilst loose forward Heinrich Brussow has also got in the South Africa side to face the British and Irish Lions. The 22-year-old replaces open-side flanker Schalk Burger, who has failed to recover from a calf injury. Brussow impressed for the Free State Cheetahs in their 26-24 defeat by the Lions earlier this month.
John Smit captains the side from prop with Bismarck du Plessis taking the no.2 shirt.
Brussow, who was not in the Springboks’ initial 28-man squad, has made one Test appearance, coming on as a substitute against England during South Africa’s end-of-year tour last year. He said (quote) I immediately called my parents and my girlfriend to tell them and they were over the moon. I was disappointed to miss out on selection into the original squad, which has a lot of great players, but I am very happy about being called in. (end quote)
Sixteen players in the squad were in the Springboks’ 22 for the Test against England in November 2008, when the world champions handed the hosts a record 42-6 defeat at Twickenham.
Team
Francois Steyn; JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, John Smit, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Heinrich Brussow, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies.
Replacements: Gurthro Steenkamp, Deon Carstens, Andries Bekker, Danie Rossouw, Ricky Januarie, Jaque Fourie, Morne Steyn.