South Africa team news: Schalk Burger will return to the starting line-up for South Africa when they take on the British and Irish Lions in the second Test match in Pretoria on Saturday. The Stormers flanker replaces Heinrich Brussow and will make his 50th Test appearance when he runs out against the tourists.
A calf injury to the former world player of the year meant Brussow was drafted in for the first Test but, despite scoring a try against the Lions, the latter now has to make do with a place on the bench.
The rest of the team that started the first game remains the same, with the only other changes coming among the replacements, where Chiliboy Ralepelle is named ahead of Gurthro Steenkamp, and scrumhalf Ricky Januarie makes way to accommodate Brussow.
That change means that the Springboks will have a five-two forward split, with outhalf Ruan Pienaar acting as cover for Fourie du Preez at number nine.
Lions fans will be happy to see Adi Jacobs remain at outside centre after the Sharks back was exposed badly in defence by Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts last weekend.
"Heinrich and I may differ in size but we are pretty similar in our styles of play. We both love playing towards the ball and it's the way I've been playing for the last five or six years and it's been successful," Burger, who will play his 50th test on Saturday, told reporters today.
Assistant coach Gary Gold said Burger was part of a plan to improve the defence after South Africa conceded three tries in Durban.
"I think there was an element of rustiness about our defence in Durban which we are working hard on this week, but Schalk, and the physical aspect he brings, will also make a massive difference," said Gold.
Gold said Pienaar's utility value enabled the hosts to pick five forwards on the bench.
"We wanted to keep Brussow in the squad to cover for Schalk, and I also feel we can expect a massive forward onslaught this week because the Lions will raise the ante at the scrum and at the maul," he said
South Africa (v Lions):F Steyn (Sharks); JP Pietersen (Sharks), A Jacobs (Sharks), J de Villiers (Stormers), B Habana (Bulls); R Pienaar (Sharks), F du Preez (Bulls); T Mtawarira (Sharks), B du Plessis (Sharks), J Smit (Sharks), B Botha (Bulls), V Matfield (Bulls), S Burger (Stormers), J Smith (Cheetahs), P Spies (Bulls). Replacements:C Ralepelle (Bulls), D Carstens (Sharks), A Bekker (Stormers), D Rossouw (Bulls), H Brussow (Cheetahs), J Fourie (Lions), M Steyn (Bulls).
