Lions in SA
Chiliboy set for Bok start
2009-07-01 11:22
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Set for starting role (File)
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JJ Harmse Johannesburg – The Springboks will know on Thursday if Bakkies Botha will be allowed to run out for the 49th time as Victor Matfield's lock partner in the green and gold.
Botha's appeal against his two week suspension will be heard a few hours before the Springbok team is announced for the third Test.
If the Bok lock's appeal fails, Johann Muller will have to do the job along with Matfield against the British and Irish Lions at Coca-Cola Park. Muller is not unfamiliar with the Bok jersey, but hasn't played any of his 22 Tests under Peter de Villiers.
His last Test was in 2007 when the Springboks, after the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup, played against Wales in Cardiff.
"Johann is a respected player and a leader in one of our leading teams. He was always a part of our plans but was kept out by Bakkies. If Bakkies can't play, then Johann will step into his shoes," De Villiers said on Tuesday.
"He is the same type of player as Botha and won't let a Springbok team down."
Should Botha's appeal be successful then Muller will get a chance to play off the bench, De Villiers added.
Andries Bekker has already been sent home after loose cartilage was removed from his knee and Danie Rossouw has taken a compulsory break after he sustained a concussion in the second Test.
Matfield didn't train on Tuesday as he has flu. This leaves the Boks a little thin in the second row and Juan Smith may be forced to double-up as cover in the lock position.
Bulls loose forward Dewald Potgieter trained with the Boks and could possibly be included as a substitute although De Villiers said that he, like Zane Kirchner, had been invited to practice alongside the Boks "as part of a bigger picture".
"Dewald and Zane used their opportunity as part of the Emerging Boks, so we are giving them a chance now to train with the Springboks. They will, like Earl Rose, remain in the picture," said De Villiers.
It was clear at training that the Boks would make a few changes to the front row. Chiliboy Ralepelle could start in his first Test in the place of
Bismarck du Plessis and could slot in between John Smit
and Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira.
Ryan Kankowski looks set to play at No 8 in Pierre Spies's place. Spies sustained a knock late in the second Test and was not at training on Tuesday.
With Schalk Burger banned, Smith and Heinrich Brüssow will be the flankers. These two are team-mates at the Cheetahs and compliment each other well. It will mean that the Springboks for the third consecutive week will play with a different loose trio.
The Bok team, like the Lions team, will only be announced on Thursday.