The Springboks will field one of their most experienced sides ever when they line up against Scotland in the first of two rugby Test matches against Scotland here on Saturday.
The team was named Wednesday morning while Scotland are expected to name their team later in the day.
As a result Sharks lock Johann Muller and Bulls centre Wynand Olivier can earn their first Springboks Test rugby caps off the bench after being named in Jake White's squad of 22 players.
Rather obviously White has opted for his strongest combination to play the Scots bringing back Os du Randt, John Smit, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Fourie du Preez and Breyton Paulse. Also in is Andre Snyman at left wing.
Clearly with a team that boasts 525 Test caps amongst the starting XV and John Smit back to lead the side for the 27th time (out of 31 appearances in the green and gold jersey) the emphasis is firmly on securing a win and keeping intact the recent run of home soil Test victories.
Scotland and South Africa will be meeting for the 17th time but only the fourth clash in this country all of which they were on the losing side.
Both coach Jake White and captain John Smit were well aware that Scotland pose a great threat this time around after their Six Nations wins against France and England.
In an interesting sidelight fullback Percy Montgomery, who scored 27 points in the `unofficial test' against the World XV at Ellis park last week needs that same number again to become the first Springbok to score 600 points in Tests for South Africa.
The referee is Donal Courtney.
At a media briefing White revealed that with 128 caps between them the Springboks will be fielding their most capped front row ever in SA rugby history.
On the question of Os du Randt, who has played 61 times South Africa, he said that `he is ready after injury and that was why we picked him.' He added that he likened Du Randt to an old diesel tractor that takes time to get going but once they had applied precautionary measures at team training they were sure he was ready to do battle once again.
Both White and Smit promised a very different approach against the Scots compared with the World XV match as this was a Test and a win was a vital component in the build-up to the World Cup next year.
Smit said: `We are ready. We are prepared. The intensity is there and while we know we are in for a tough battle we have the power up front to subdue and the backs to provide the sparkle."
The Springbok lineup is: Os du Randt, John Smit (captain), Eddie Andrews, Danie Rossouw, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Joe van Niekerk, Fourie du Preez, Jaco van der Westhuizen, Andre Snyman, Jean de Villiers, Jacque Fourie, Breyton Paulse and Percy Montgomery.
Bench: Hanyani Shimage, Lawrence Sephaka, Johann Muller, Pedrie Wannenburg, Ricky Januarie, Wynand Olivier, Gaffie du Toit.
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