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South African Springbok newly elected rugby coach Heyneke Meyer. Schalk van Zuydam/AP/Press Association Images
Game time

Springboks name uncapped trio for England clash

“Eben, Juandre, Marcell and Coenie have all put their hands up this season and I know they can succeed at Test level,” coach Heyneke Meyer says.

SOUTH AFRICA HAVE selected three debutant forwards in their team to take on England in Saturday’s Test in Durban.

South African coach Heyneke Meyer has called untried locks Juandre Kruger and Eben Etzebeth into his side, while flanker Marcell Coetzee will also debut. Prop Coenie Oosthuizen, another debutant, was named on the bench.

“Eben, Juandre, Marcell and Coenie have all put their hands up this season and I know they can succeed at Test level,” Meyer said.

“It is quite a new thing in South African rugby to have two uncapped locks starting. It is a huge step up but I am confident in them. I am very happy for them and their families, and know they will make South Africa proud.

“Although the team is quite young, we still have some experience across the starting 15. The balance in the team is right in the way we want to play against England and we’re looking forward to the first Test.”

The South African squad is anything but inexperienced, with the starting 15 containing a combined total of 458 Test caps. Meyer has also appointed Jean de Villiers as captain of the side.

England will attempt to break a hoodoo by winning in South Africa, something they have not done since recording a 27-22 victory in Bloemfontein in 2000.

South Africa team: Zane Kirchner, JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers (c), Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Juandre Kruger, Marcell Coetzee, Willem Alberts, Pierre Spies.

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