Boks make three changes for All Blacks

WELLINGTON – South Africa have made three changes for their second Tri-Nations rugby Test against the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday, returning to a proven combination in an attempt to level the series.

One change was forced on them following the 8-19 loss in the first Test last week, with captain and hooker John Smit returning home after suffering a groin injury, to be replaced by reserve Bismarck du Plessis. But the significant move is the return of Percy Montgomery for Conrad Jantjes at fullback and JP Pietersen replacing Odwa Ndungane on the wing.With Bryan Habana holding his place on the other wing, South Africa now have the same back trio who starred in last year’s World Cup where they beat England in the final.The changes also bolster the Springboks kicking options, an area where they were outclassed by All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter last week.”We are expecting more wet, cold weather and snow down there (Dunedin) and we have opted for a left and a right boot in Monty (Montgomery) and Butch (flyhalf Butch James),” coach Peter de Villiers said.”I know that JP is much better in the kicking game than Odwa Ndungane also.”If we are caught and bogged down in our own 22 we’ve got enough ammunition to get out of there.”Lock Victor Matfield, speaking as the Springboks prepared to leave Wellington for Dunedin on Thursday, said there was no lack of motivation for the second Test.”The guys are hard on themselves, we all know we did not play our best game last week,” the replacement Springbok captain said.Halfback Ruan Pienaar replaces Bolla Conradie on the bench and Schalk Brits comes in as reserve hooker.South Africa Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp.Reserves: Schalk Brits, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Luke Watson, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn, Conrad Jantjes.Nampa-AFPBut the significant move is the return of Percy Montgomery for Conrad Jantjes at fullback and JP Pietersen replacing Odwa Ndungane on the wing.With Bryan Habana holding his place on the other wing, South Africa now have the same back trio who starred in last year’s World Cup where they beat England in the final.The changes also bolster the Springboks kicking options, an area where they were outclassed by All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter last week.”We are expecting more wet, cold weather and snow down there (Dunedin) and we have opted for a left and a right boot in Monty (Montgomery) and Butch (flyhalf Butch James),” coach Peter de Villiers said.”I know that JP is much better in the kicking game than Odwa Ndungane also.”If we are caught and bogged down in our own 22 we’ve got enough ammunition to get out of there.”Lock Victor Matfield, speaking as the Springboks prepared to leave Wellington for Dunedin on Thursday, said there was no lack of motivation for the second Test.”The guys are hard on themselves, we all know we did not play our best game last week,” the replacement Springbok captain said.Halfback Ruan Pienaar replaces Bolla Conradie on the bench and Schalk Brits comes in as reserve hooker.South Africa Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp.Reserves: Schalk Brits, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Luke Watson, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn, Conrad Jantjes.Nampa-AFP