Rugby:South Africa have made three changes to the starting XV and one positional switch for Saturday's Test against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Fullback Zane Kirchner, scrumhalf Francois Hougaard and number eight Ryan Kankowski come into the side, while Gio Aplon switches to the wing after playing wearing the number 15 jersey in last Saturday’s 29-25 win over Wales in Cardiff.
Ulster Scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar drops to the bench, while number eight Pierre Spies drops out of the 22 altogether.
Two changes to the 22 were enforced, with winger Bjorn Basson and replacement hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle sent home after failing random tests following the 23-21 win over Ireland on November 6th.
Ralepelle and Basson, who was due to fly home anyway as a result of an ankle injury picked up in the win over Wales, tested positive for stimulant methylhexaneamine, commonly used as a nasal decongestant.
Head coach Peter de Villiers is keen to move on from the departures of Ralepelle and Basson, which emerged yesterday and have seen the Springboks scale back their consumption of nutritional supplements.
“We have moved on, we’re professional, we know how to deal with tough moments and we look forward to playing the game on Saturday,” said De Villiers.
The world champion Springboks, in selecting Kankowski and Hougaard ahead of Spies and Ruan Pienaar, have granted chances to build greater competition for places.
“This one for us is an opportunity, with some things in the future in mind, to see how on a par our players are,” added De Villiers. “We know how good they are, but whether they fit into the team only on the field of play is where you will find out.”
De Villiers is using this month’s tour to build towards the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 10 months’ time.
“You don’t make experiments at international level, you just reward players for what you believe they can bring to the game. We just have to use our players to the best of our ability. There is a World Cup next year. You would have to be stupid if you think that 15 players or 22 players can win a World Cup for you.
“You have to have a squad of 30, so I’m just using the opportunity that this tour gives me and I will play all the players on this tour.”
De Villiers was also hit today by the news wing Bryan Habana would play no further part in the tour after breaking a bone in his hand during training. Habana suffered the injury during a defensive drill when he fell awkwardly on his hand after tackling Morne Steyn.
The injury reduces the tour squad to 27 players.