SOUTH AFRICA HAVE overhauled their team for the clash against Australia this weekend, making six changes for a game in which Bryan Habana will reach the 100 Test milestone.
The Springboks survived a scare against Argentina in their last Rugby Championship outing, bouncing back from 12 points down to edge the match in Salta 33-31.
The scrums were a particular problem for the two-time world champions and coach Heyneke Meyer made four changes to his pack for Saturday’s match, bringing in Marcell Coetzee, veteran Victor Matfield, Adriaan Strauss and Tendai Mtawarira.
He also recalled Jan Serfontein and the experienced Morne Steyn to the backline.
As a result, Bismarck du Plessis, Lood de Jager and Damian de Allende shift to the bench, joining Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Pat Lambie, Francois Hougaard and Warren Whiteley as replacements.
Meanwhile, after a long apprenticeship, Beauden Barrett will on Saturday get his first start as an All Blacks playmaker, as a further fly-half injury hits the world champions ahead of their Test against Argentina.
In an All Blacks shake-up, the 23-year-old Barrett’s promotion is one of three changes to the side where Israel Dagg returns as fullback and Ma’a Nonu is back at inside centre with a further two changes on the bench.
Aaron Cruden, who has been starting in the 10 jersey in place of the injured Dan Carter, was ruled out of the third-round Rugby Championship Test with a chest muscle injury.
His misfortune opens the door for Barrett, whose 21-Test career has been primarily off the bench late in games as fly-half replacement. His only two Test starts have been at fullback, against Italy in 2012 and Japan last year.
“Aaron could have played but the selectors weren’t prepared to take the risk of him re-injuring himself and being out for a long period,” coach Steve Hansen said as he named the side on Thursday.
Nonu’s return was expected after he recovered from a bruised shoulder and his understudy Ryan Crotty fractured a jawbone in the All Blacks’ 51-20 thrashing of the Wallabies two weeks ago.
The return of Dagg to fullback has forced the incumbent number 15 Ben Smith onto the wing, with Cory Jane dropped from the side.
South Africa - Willie le Roux; Cornal Hendricks, Jan Serfontein, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Duane Vermeulen, Marcell Coetzee, Francois Louw; Victor Matfield, Eben Etzebeth; Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Lood de Jager, Warren Whiteley, Francois Hougaard, Pat Lambie, Damian de Allende.
New Zealand – Israel Dagg; Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Kieran Reid, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam; Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Joe Moody, Jeremy Thrush, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Colin Slade, Malakai Fekitoa.
