Meyer keeps winning formula to face USA
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer decided to keep continuity for the Springboks’ final Rugby World Cup Pool B match.
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JOHANNESBURG – The starting line-up shows only two changes from the team that played in the 34-16 victory over Scotland in Newcastle on Saturday.
Frans Malherbe will start his first match of the season for South Africa while Rudy Paige could make his Test debut off the bench against the USA.
Malherbe comes in at tighthead prop for Jannie du Plessis in the only change to the pack. The backline shows only one personnel change as well, at wing where Lwazi Mvovo takes over from JP Pietersen, with Bryan Habana moving over to the right wing.
Pietersen was not considered this week due to injury, while a decision was taken to give Du Plessis and Victor Matfield time to get over some niggles due to the short turn-around after the Scotland match.
Joining Paige on the bench is Morné Steyn, who both could get their first taste of Rugby World Cup action this year. Schalk Brits and Coenie Oosthuizen are also back amongst the reserves this week.
#RSA name a strong team to face #USA on Wednesday, making two changes from the starting XV that beat #SCO #RSAvUSA pic.twitter.com/GJ4PySLTst
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 5, 2015
“Wednesday’s match against a much-improved USA team is a must-win for us if we want to progress to the quarter-finals which is one of the reasons why we decided to go with continuity,” said Meyer.
“We also have a number of players who returned to action from injuries recently and it’s important to give them game-time against an opponent who will physically challenge us this week.
“The performances against Samoa and Scotland were satisfactory, but we will have to make another step up against the USA.”
Meyer said it is pleasing to see Paige and Steyn in the match-23 for the first time during the tournament, while Mvovo, Oosthuizen and Brits also deserved another run.
“All five of them have worked incredibly hard over the last couple of months and deserve this opportunity – it’s now in their hands to make the most of it,” said the Springbok coach.
After the win against Scotland and Samoa, the Springboks have moved up to fourth on the world rankings.
WORLD RANKINGS: #AUS #RSA #FRA #ARG all up one place, while #ENG equal lowest ever position of eighth in the top 10 pic.twitter.com/4JvZOxURmb
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 6, 2015
The Springbok team to face the USA in London
15 Willie le Roux
14 Bryan Habana
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Damian De Allende
11 Lwazi Mvovo
10 Handré Pollard
9 Fourie du Preez (captain)
8 Duane Vermeulen
7 Schalk Burger (vice-captain)
6 Francois Louw
5 Lood de Jager
4 Eben Etzebeth
3 Frans Malherbe
2 Bismarck du Plessis
1 Tendai Mtawarira
HABANA WATCH: @BryanHabana is 3⃣ tries behind @JONAHTALILOMU's RWC record – will he get closer against #USA? #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/bWLAnFB3JR
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 5, 2015
Replacements:
16 Schalk Brits
17 Trevor Nyakane
18 Coenie Oosthuizen
19 Pieter-Steph du Toit
20 Willem Alberts
21 Rudy Paige
22 Morné Steyn
23 Jan Serfontein