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Meyer sticks to winning Bok team

Out: Heyneke Meyer. Gallo images
Out: Heyneke Meyer. Gallo images

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has opted for continuity rather than experimentation for tomorrow's final World Cup Pool B match against the US at Olympic Park.

The coach made only two injury enforced changes to the starting line-up that beat Scotland 34-16 at the weekend, but he has included the previously unused halfback duo of Rudy Paige and Morne Steyn on the bench along with hooker Schalk Brits and prop Coenie Oosthuizen.

Lwazi Mvovo replaces the injured JP Pietersen on the wing and tighthead Frans Malherbe takes over from Jannie du Plessis. Both Pietersen and Du Plessis have knee niggles.

With a four-day turnaround before a 10-day break to a quarterfinal, assuming the Boks beat a US team that has made 12 changes for this match, Meyer is trying to give his potential best team another run.

"We have to respect every opponent," Meyer said. "The USA are physical and have great runners in midfield. But we need to have continuity because we haven't had a lot of time to prepare."

 

lTeam South Africa:

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Fourie du Preez (capt), 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Reserves: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Jan Serfontein.

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