Boks spring a few surprises for All Blacks test

By ALTUS MOMBERG

Lukas van Biljon, not even a blip on the rugby radar screen last year, is to start in the middle of the Springbok scrum against the All Blacks.

The 25-year-old Sharks hooker and Boland centre Marius Joubert were two surprise Springbok selections ahead of Sunday morning's (NZT) Tri-Nations test at Newlands.

Bok coach Harry Viljoen named a team which showed 10 changes from the one that beat the Italians three weeks ago.

"We said all along that we would give everyone a chance during the opening three tests of the year and that's what we did against Italy," Viljoen said.

"I'm quite satisfied though with the team that we are putting on the field on Saturday. There's a nice mix of youth and experience and we have some special players coming through."

At the same time, the All Blacks revealed a side that met most expectations: Jeff Wilson at fullback, allowing Doug Howlett to start on the wing; Tony Brown at first five-eighths rather than Andrew Mehrtens; and Taine Randell on the open side of the scrum ahead of Marty Holah.

It was Viljoen's decision on Van Biljon ahead of John Smit that took most people aback.

But Smit has struggled to recover from an abdominal strain he first suffered against Italy, when he was replaced by Van Biljon, who won his first test cap in that match.

"Lukas has been playing well and we are looking for a new dimension, but we are fortunate to have two very good young hookers in the squad," said Viljoen.

The Springbok front row is a different one from that which started against Italy. Robbie Kempson is back at loosehead and Cobus Visagie makes an expected comeback after he was cleared by a South African Rugby Football Union drugs appeal panel following a positive test for nandrolone last year.

Marius Joubert is the only Springbok newcomer, getting in ahead of Deon Kayser at centre to partner vice-captain Robbie Fleck at second five-eighths.

The selection of Joubert, 21, is more than a rugby move; it is also a political one.

Following the South African Sport Minister Ngconde Balfour's clear preference for Kayser, the Bok coach has revealed himself to be immune to government interference - at least in this instance.

Joubert has not yet played in the Super 12, but that was only because of injury. He has forced his way into the test team on the back of a good Currie Cup last year and top performances for South African under-23s this year.

Conrad Jantjes returns to the Bok bench after playing fullback against Italy. This allows Percy Montgomery to assume his regular spot, having played first-five against the Italians.

South Africa: Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, Robbie Fleck, Dean Hall, Butch James, Joost van der Westhuizen, Bobby Skinstad (captain), Andre Venter, Andre Vos, Mark Andrews, Victor Matfield, Cobus Visagie, Lukas van Biljon, Robbie Kempson.

Reserves: Ollie le Roux, John Smit, Johan Ackermann, Joe van Niekerk, Neil de Kock, Deon Kayser, Conrad Jantjes

All Blacks: Jeff Wilson, Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga, Pita Alatini, Jonah Lomu, Tony Brown, Justin Marshall, Ron Cribb, Taine Randell, Reuben Thorne, Troy Flavell, Norm Maxwell, Greg Somerville, Anton Oliver (captain), Carl Hoeft.

Reserves: Mark Hammett, Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Marty Holah, Byron Kelleher, Andrew Mehrtens, Leon McDonald.

- INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS (SOUTH AFRICA)