Publications
Partners
Wellington - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer coach sidestepped questions about a South African Rugby Union plan to increase the number of non-white players in the Springboks so that they comprise 50 percent of the team by the 2019 season.
READ: 50% black Boks by 2019
"I'm just here to coach. I'm just here to serve my country and do the best for the Springboks," he said, adding "I've got enough worries of my own" trying to defeat the All Blacks on Saturday.
Meyer was more verbose in his praise of Springbok captain Jean de Villiers, who will on Saturday become the fifth South African to play 100 Tests.
"When the big names in South African rugby are mentioned, Jean will forever be among them," Meyer said.
"Jean is not only an extremely good rugby player, but he's also one of the greatest captains I've ever worked with.
"Jean is also a true ambassador for South Africa. To see how he is respected all over the world, is truly humbling and our fellow countrymen can be proud of him."
Two of South Africa's other centurions, Victor Matfield (114 Tests) and Bryan Habana, who reached the milestone last weekend against Australia in Perth, will also be playing Saturday.
The other two Springboks to play 100 Tests are John Smit (111) and Percy Montgomery (102).
South Africa and New Zealand have played each other 87 times since 1921, with the Springboks winning 34, losing 50 and three were drawn.
Saturday's game at Westpac Stadium kicks off at 09:35 (SA time) on Saturday.
Teams:
New Zealand:
TBA
South Africa:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Warren Whiteley, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Damian de Allende
