This Saturday sees the Boks kick off their World Cup campaign against JapaN and Heyneke Meyer has sprung a few surprises sure to set tongues wagging.

Perhaps most surprising is the inclusion of Zane Kirchner as starting fullback, with Jean de Villiers set to lead the team in their 17:45 kickoff (SA time).

First off that team in full…

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Lwazi Mvovo, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Fourie du Preez, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 JP Pietersen

The starting XV sees a combined total of 880 test caps and is the most experienced Bok team of all time, eclipsing the previous record of 836 caps set back in 2011. Coach Meyer quoted on News24 as follows:

We’ve decided to go with some form of continuity as it’s important to get a good start in the tournament, but we also wanted to bring back a number of players who have recently recovered from injury.

It’s great to see Jean, Francois, Lood, Jannie, Coenie, Fourie and JP back in action, and while we probably could’ve played Duane Vermeulen and Eben Etzebeth, in the end we decided to give them another week to fully recover from their injuries.

The backline is almost unchanged as we also decided to reward the players who did so well in Buenos Aires. There will in all likelihood be changes again next week but for now these players deserve another opportunity to stake a claim.

Somewhat surprisingly the Springboks have never faced Japan, Meyer adding that they will not be taking the challenge lightly:

…Japan will pose a different threat. They have a very astute coach in Eddie Jones and our players who play in Japan have warned us to expect a very high tempo game and good, low tackling to stop momentum.

The players know that nothing but their best will be good enough on Saturday and we realise the importance of starting the World Cup on a good note, but having said that, we also know that there is no such thing as an easy game in rugby anymore and they will be just as fired up as us.

I suppose it’s a good chance to get Jean back up to full speed but the omission from the match day 23 of both Damian de Allende and Willie le Roux may surprise many. The pack does look tailor-made to dominate the Japanese physically so here’s hoping Ruan Pienaar can provide some quick ball for the backs to put the Japan to the sword.

Lambie’s inclusion at fly-half may also hint at him having leapfrogged Pollard as our incumbent 10, something that many have been crying out for following a rather ordinary finish to the Rugby Championship for the young Bulls player.

Whatever your thoughts let’s back the boys to the hilt and hope that they give us a few good reasons to get stuck into a few toots Saturday.

[source:news24]