WHEN Tendai ‘‘Beast” Mtawarira was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat on the end- of-year tour last year, he never doubted that he’d return to the team and nudge his way to 50 Test caps this year.
Mtawarira will join the elite club when the Springboks play the All Blacks in the Rugby Championships decider at Ellis Park on Saturday.
“I was positive,” said the loosehead.
Lock Juandre Kruger replaces the suspended Flip van der Merwe in the number five jersey, but Meyer is still sweating on the availability of centre JJ Engelbrecht who has a bruised thigh muscle. Jan Serfontein will take his place if he doesn’t recover in time.
On the bench Golden Lions lock Franco van der Merwe earned a callup and will more than likely make his debut in front of his home fans. He has had to hang his Bok jacket over his arm since his callup last year but will get to put it on for the first time if he makes it onto the playing surface.
“I’m super excited. It’s been a long wait. I tried to stay positive. It’s been a year-and-a- half. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little boy and the dream didn’t end with me playing the All Blacks at Ellis Park.”
The Springbok team is: Zane Kirchner,;Willie le Roux, Jan Serfontein, JJ Engelbrecht, Jean de Villiers (capt); Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn; Fourie du Preez, Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Juandre Kruger, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Gürthro Steenkamp, Coenie Oosthuizen, Franco van der Merwe, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein, Juan de Jongh.
‘Beast’ gets his place in the Bok sun
Mtawarira will join the elite club when the Springboks play the All Blacks in the Rugby Championships decider at Ellis Park on Saturday.
“I was positive,” said the loosehead.
Lock Juandre Kruger replaces the suspended Flip van der Merwe in the number five jersey, but Meyer is still sweating on the availability of centre JJ Engelbrecht who has a bruised thigh muscle. Jan Serfontein will take his place if he doesn’t recover in time.
On the bench Golden Lions lock Franco van der Merwe earned a callup and will more than likely make his debut in front of his home fans. He has had to hang his Bok jacket over his arm since his callup last year but will get to put it on for the first time if he makes it onto the playing surface.
“I’m super excited. It’s been a long wait. I tried to stay positive. It’s been a year-and-a- half. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little boy and the dream didn’t end with me playing the All Blacks at Ellis Park.”
The Springbok team is: Zane Kirchner,;Willie le Roux, Jan Serfontein, JJ Engelbrecht, Jean de Villiers (capt); Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn; Fourie du Preez, Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Juandre Kruger, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Gürthro Steenkamp, Coenie Oosthuizen, Franco van der Merwe, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein, Juan de Jongh.
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