Peter de Villiers has named three uncapped players in his South African XV to face a Namibian Invitational XV in Windhoek on Friday.
Lions utility man Earl Rose will play in the fullback position, Western Province’s Morgan Newman will start at outside centre and Sharks loose forward Jean Deysel has been named on the flank.
A further three uncapped players — prop Wian du Preez (Cheetahs), lock Steven Sykes (Sharks) and scrum-half Jano Vermaak (Lions) — have been named on the bench for the game.
The rest of the team, including the other 12 in the starting line-up, have previous experience playing for South Africa and will be led by regular captain John Smit.
Coach De Villiers said: “We know what we have in our established players and want to use this match as an opportunity to see what the new players offer and also give them an opportunity to show what they can do at another level.”
Smit will lead the side from tighthead prop, the same position at which he started the November Tests against Wales and Scotland, and will play alongside Bismark Du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira in what is likely to be the first-choice front row.
No Bulls players are in the team due to the Pretoria franchise playing in the Super 14 final against the Chiefs at the weekend.
De Villiers added: “What experienced players like John Smit, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers give to the team is massive to the group. We empower them to make an impact in the team.
“We are blessed in South Africa in that we have so many good rugby players. If a player is good enough to play Super 14 he could be good enough to make the step up to the Springbok side.
“What we look for at this level, are finer but very relevant items such as attitude and discipline, if they fit into the team dynamic and combinations.
“I am very happy with the preparations for this game. We had a good session on Wednesday and will take it up a level in Windhoek when we arrive on Thursday.
“I am impressed with the attitude of the guys here and with the speed at which they have settled and got the systems working.”
On Monday, De Villiers will name his final squad to face the Lions in the first Test in Durban on June 20.
SA XV (v Namibia):Earl Rose; Jongi Nokwe, Morgan Newman, Meyer Bosman, Odwa Ndungane; Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, John Smit (capt), Johann Muller, Andries Bekker, Heinrich Brussow, Jean Deysel, Ryan Kankowski. Replacements:Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez, Steven Sykes, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Jano Vermaak, Jean de Villiers, Adi Jacobs, JP Pietersen.
