Lions in SA
Pienaar picked as Bok flyhalf
2009-06-16 12:50
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Springbok coach Peter de Villiers on Tuesday named a squad of 22 players with a combined total of 707 caps for the first Test of the Castle South Africa 2009 Lions Series, at 15:00 on Saturday, 20 June 2009, at the Absa Stadium Durban.
John Smit, the most experienced member of the team, will lead the Springboks out in their first duel against the British & Irish Lions since 1997.
Sixteen players in the match 22 participated in the Springboks’ previous test, against England at Twickenham in November 2008.
The Test will be the 44th encounter between the Springboks and the Lions since 1891. South Africa has won 21, the Lions 16 and 6 Tests have been drawn.
The Test will be the fourth between the Springboks and the Lions to be played in Durban. The Springboks have won two of the previous three (1924 and 1962) and the Lions one (1997).
Free State Cheetahs flanker Heinrich Brüssow will make his first Test start after earning his first cap as from the bench against England in November 2008.
Blue Bulls flyhalf Morné Steyn is the only uncapped player in the squad of 22.
Free State Cheetahs flanker Juan Smith needs one try to become the sole record holder for the most tries as a Springbok flanker.
Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis needs one try to become the sole record holder for the most tries as a Springbok hooker.
The Springbok team for the first Test against the British & Irish Lions is (Test caps in brackets):
15. Frans Steyn (27)
14. JP Pietersen (24)
13. Adi Jacobs (21)
12. Jean de Villiers (46)
11. Bryan Habana (46)
10. Ruan Pienaar (27)
9. Fourie du Preez (43)
8. Pierre Spies (19)
7. Juan Smith (54)
6. Heinrich Brüssow (1)
5. Victor Matfield (80)
4. Bakkies Botha (55)
3. John Smit (81) – captain
2. Bismarck du Plessis (21)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (10)
Replacements:
16. Gurthrö Steenkamp (20)
17. Deon Carstens (7)
18. Andries Bekker (13)
19. Danie Rossouw (36)
20. Ricky Januarie (34)
21. Jaque Fourie (42)
22. Morné Steyn (uncapped)