Springboks ready to run

PRETORIA – Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has named 12 players with Test experience in a South African XV to face a Namibian Invitation XV in Windhoek tonight.

The match serves as the Springboks only warm-up match before going into a three-Test series next month with the British and Irish Lions.The South African side will be minus Northern Bulls stars, who are playing in the Super 14 final against Waikato Chiefs in Pretoria on Saturday.Also not available because of injury are flyhalf Ruan Pienaar and utility back Frans Steyn, centre Jaque Fourie is getting married and fullback Conrad Jantjes has been ruled out for the season after breaking a leg.De Villiers names his Springbok squad for the Lions series next Monday.The three uncapped players in the starting XV are Golden Lions fullback Earl Rose, Western Province outside centre Morgan Newman and Sharks loose forward Jean Deysel.A further three uncapped players were selected on the bench in Central Cheetahs prop Wian du Preez, Coastal Sharks lock Steven Sykes and Golden Lions scrum-half Jano Vermaak.’We know what we have in our established players and want to use this match as an opportunity to see what the new players offer and also give them an opportunity to show what they can do at another level,’ said De Villiers.John Smit will captain the side from tighthead prop, the same position in which he started November Tests against Wales and Scotland.Next to Smit, Bismarck du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira complete a front row expected to lock horns with the Lions.De Villiers has also picked a number of experienced Boks on the bench, including Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Jean de Villiers and JP Pietersen.’I am impressed with the attitude of the guys here and with the speed at which they have settled and got the systems working.’The Lions start a 10-match tour of South Africa against a Royal XV in Rustenburg Saturday and coach Ian McGeechan was due to name his side late yesterday.Teams (15-1)South African XV: Earl Rose; Jongi Nokwe, Morgan Newman, Meyer Bosman, Odwa Ndungane; Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie; Ryan Kankowski, Jean Deysel, Heinrich Brussow; Andries Bekker, Johann Muller; John Smit (capt), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai MtawariraReplacements: Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez, Steven Sykes, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Jano Vermaak, Jean de Villiers, Adi Jacobs, JP PietersenNamibian Invitation XV: Jaco van der Westhuizen; Tonderai Chavhanga, Frikkie Welsh, Meyer Bosman, Llewellyn Winckler; Derick Hougaard, Rory Kockott; Jacques Burger, Duane Vermeulen, Jacques Nieuwenhuis; Nico Breedt, David de Villiers; Kobus Calldo, Richardt Strauss, Kees Lensing (capt)Replacements: Hugo Horn, Johnny Redelinghuys, Ruan Vermeulen, Anton van Zyl, Wayne Julies, Jurie van Tonder, Chrysander Botha. – Nampa-AFP