Johan Goosen will start at fullback against Italy in Padova on Saturday in one of four changes to the Springbok starting XV.
Goosen comes in for Willie le Roux, who moves to the bench, with Trevor Nyakane set to start his first Test at loosehead prop, Coenie Oosthuizen replacing the injured Jannie du Plessis at tighthead, and Teboho Mohoje back at blindside flank in place of Schalk Burger, who has returned to his Japanese club.
There are also five changes on the bench, with Nizaam Carr and Julian Redelinghuys included in the match 23 for the first time. Joining them are Gurthrö Steenkamp, Lood de Jager and Le Roux. Tendai Mtawarira has been given a break after carrying a heavy workload recently.
'We planned to make a few shifts for this Test as I’d like to see if these players can make the step up,' said Bok coach Heyneke Meyer. 'The guys coming in deserve their opportunities and seeing that we won’t have our overseas-based players available next week against Wales, it made sense to bring a few of them in this week.'
Meyer said he was impressed by the commitment shown by all the uncapped players at training on the tour and that Carr and Redelinghuys are ready for selection.
'Nizaam can cover all the positions in the back row and his call-up is just reward after a very good season for the Stormers and Western Province. Julian has been superb for the Lions this season and he’s shown that he can scrum. Both of them are now familiar with our plays and structures and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can bring on Saturday.'
Springboks – 15 Johan Goosen, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Subs: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux.
Jon Cardinelli: Goosen a potent prospect at 15
Photo: Barry Aldworth/BackpagePix
