South Africa ring World Cup changes after Japan humiliation

South Africa brought back big guns such as Willie le Roux and Duane Vermeulen to tackle Samoa in the World Cup on Saturday in eight changes to the team stunned by Japan.

However, hard-man hooker Bismarck du Plessis, 31, was dropped but 38-year-old lock Victor Matfield, persuaded to come out of retirement by coach Heyneke Meyer, retained his place.

Despite being criticised for the age of the side that lost 34-32 to Japan last weekend, Meyer has named an even more experienced line-up, with a new record 891 caps between them for the Pool B game against Samoa in Birmingham.

"The last few days have been a time for retrospection and the team this week has been selected specifically with Samoa in mind, as we know we'll have to be at our very best to succeed," Meyer said on Wednesday.

"They will pose a massive challenge and I think it's fair to say that it's the biggest game of the season for us. They have a very strong team with players plying their trade all over the world," he added.

Springbok captain Jean de Villiers, 34, escaped the cull despite calls in South Africa for him to be replaced. He will move from inside to outside centre.
But the ongoing row in South Africa over the racial composition of the side -- part of the process of post-apartheid 'transformation' -- which intensified after the Japan defeat, is sure to be revived again given there are now only six non-white players in Meyer's matchday 23 to play Samoa, compared to seven last time out.

However, as was the case for the shock loss to Japan, four non-white players will start with wings JP Pietersen and Bryan Habana, centre Damian de Allende and prop Tendai Mtawarira all in South Africa's 1st XV.

The government 'target' is to have seven non-white players in a matchday 23 and five on the pitch at any one time, although this is an aspiration rather than a strict requirement.   

Three players nominated for the World Rugby player of the year award over the last two years -- Eben Etzebeth, Vermeulen and Le Roux -- were all recalled to the starting lineup.

Adriaan Strauss, who will win his 50th cap, is the starting hooker. Vermeulen will make his first Test appearance of the year in the No 8 jersey. He had neck surgery in July.

"Duane has been one of the stalwarts of this team and it's great to have him back in the mix," said Meyer.

"He is one of the best loose forwards in the world and apart from being a superb ball-carrier and also a great line-out option, he is also good on the ground and brings leadership to the team."

Le Roux, Pietersen and De Allende returned in the backline, with Fourie du Preez and Handre Pollard forming a new half-back pairing after scrum-half Ruan Pienaar and fly-half Pat Lambie were dropped to the bench.

In the pack, Etzebeth was one of three changes to the starting line-up with Vermeulen and Strauss. On the bench, Schalk Brits, 34, and Frans Malherbe made their first appearances on a Rugby World Cup teamsheet.

"It's been a very tough week after the massive disappointment of last weekend and we owe our supporters a winning performance on Saturday," said Meyer.

Meyer added he was looking for "energy and unpredictability" in the team.

"It means some players have dropped out of the squad altogether but this is a 31-man campaign and they will have other chances, but we needed to make changes after Saturday's performance."

Of those who started the match against Japan, full-back Zane Kirchner, centre Lwazi Mvovo, back-rower Pieter-Steph du Toit and hooker Du Plessis all failed to make the matdhday 23.

The Springboks have won all eight of their previous meetings with Samoa.

South Africa (15-1)

Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers (capt), Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez; Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw; Victor Matfield, Eben Etzebeth; Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: Schalk Brits, Trevor Nyakane, Frans Malherbe, Lodewyk de Jager, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jesse Kriel
Source: AFP