Bok side unchanged for Twickers clash

SPRINGBOK rugby coach Heyneke Meyer named only his second unchanged starting XV this season, on his 12th test at the helm, for Saturday’s clash against England at Twickenham.

But even so, the side which takes the field could be different from the one named yesterday as there is still doubt over the fitness of wing JP Pietersen, who has yet to run properly since tweaking a groin against Scotland last Saturday.

If Pietersen fails a late fitness test, Lwazi Mvovo will take his place in the starting line-up, with Lionel Mapoe likely to be promoted to the bench.

Meyer made only two changes to the 23-man squad, both on the bench, where prop Pat Cilliers takes over from the injured CJ van der Linde and flyhalf Elton Jantjies comes in for Morné Steyn.

“JP hasn’t been able to train although we’re confident he will pull through before the game,” Meyer said. “We’re giving him until Friday’s captain’s run to prove his fitness.

“Gurthro Steenkamp [prop] is still nursing bumps and bruises but he will be 100% by the weekend because we want his experience to start off, before introducing Heinke van der Merwe later.

“It was easy to choose the same starting team because I wanted continuity after winning the first two tests of the tour. Continuity is something we haven’t had much of this season.

“It’s also been a tough build-up to this match because we have so many players battling with niggles.”

Meyer said that lock Eben Etzebeth’s acquittal on a charge of eye gouging was also a huge relief for the player and the team, and that they had moved on from the incident.

South Africa: Zane Kirchner, JP Pietersen, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (capt), Francois Hougaard, Pat Lambie, Ruan Pienaar, Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Juandre Kruger, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Schalk Brits, Heinke van der Merwe, Pat Cilliers, Flip van der Merwe, Marcell Coetzee, Elton Jantjies, Jaco Taute, Lwazi Mvovo.