Cape Town - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is likely to spring a surprise by selecting Patrick Lambie at fullback for the Test against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, a report on Die Burger's website indicates.
Lambie starred at flyhalf for the Sharks in the Currie Cup final two weeks ago, but is no stranger to the fullback position.
He performed well in the No 15 jersey at the World Cup in New Zealand two years ago.
Zane Kirchner will therefore miss out on a spot in the squad, while other changes to the backline should see Jaque Fourie replace JJ Engelbrecht at outside centre and JP Pietersen come in for Willie le Roux at right wing.
"It's nice to see Pat get regular game time again. We are very happy with his performances. He made a big difference for the Sharks. It was good to see him find the balance between when to attack and when to kick. Kicking plays a huge role in any Test," said backline coach Ricardo Loubscher.
Meyer will name his team later on Wednesday.
Possible Springbok team:
15 Patrick Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Flip van der Merwe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 JJ Engelbrecht, 23 Willie le Roux.
Lambie starred at flyhalf for the Sharks in the Currie Cup final two weeks ago, but is no stranger to the fullback position.
He performed well in the No 15 jersey at the World Cup in New Zealand two years ago.
Zane Kirchner will therefore miss out on a spot in the squad, while other changes to the backline should see Jaque Fourie replace JJ Engelbrecht at outside centre and JP Pietersen come in for Willie le Roux at right wing.
"It's nice to see Pat get regular game time again. We are very happy with his performances. He made a big difference for the Sharks. It was good to see him find the balance between when to attack and when to kick. Kicking plays a huge role in any Test," said backline coach Ricardo Loubscher.
Meyer will name his team later on Wednesday.
Possible Springbok team:
15 Patrick Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Flip van der Merwe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 JJ Engelbrecht, 23 Willie le Roux.