THE All Blacks may have a five-match winning streak against the Springboks, but that means nothing to backline substitute JP Pietersen.
The last time Pietersen played against the All Blacks he was a World Cup winner and they, not.
The Boks’ last win over the All Blacks came during the then Tri-Nations in 2011, on the cusp of the World Cup.
“I haven’t played them since that game in Port Elizabeth,” Pietersen acknowledged yesterday.
“They have only lost one and drawn one since then.”
When reminded that he should not carry any of the baggage from the recent defeats against the All Blacks, Pietersen’s riposte was sharp. “I’m part of the nation. Whenever South Africa loses it hurts.”
He will, however, have to wait to make his mark as coach Heyneke Meyer has invested in experience on the bench. Cornal Hendricks now commands the right wing post, while the 55-capped Pietersen has been earmarked as cover for centre as well.
“As a player every guy wants to be in the starting line-up. At the moment Cornal is playing very well, and Bryan (Habana) as well. You just have to wait for your opportunity to come.”
Plying his trade in Japan means it will be difficult for him to hold down a regular place in the squad. “It is also not nice to lose your momentum from June and start again in the Championship. That is part of the deal I had with Japan and I just have to deal with it.”
Meyer named Duane Vermeulen in his starting line-up despite the number eight’s current in-limbo fitness status. Vermeulen injured his ribs last weekend and will be given until tomorrow’s captain’s practice to prove his fitness.
Meyer can’t understate Vermeulen’s importance to the cause: “The battle of the loose-forwards will probably determine the outcome. We are facing probably the best loose-forwards in the world.”
After the brouhaha that followed his inclusion last week, there was hardly a whisper when Oupa Mohoje’s name was read out yesterday. He retained his place along with Marcell Coetzee but Schalk Burger will play at eight if Vermeulen fails to come through. In that event Warren Whiteley will take up position on the bench.
If declared fit Vermeulen will be one of eight starting returnees from last year’s blockbuster at Ellis Park. Only one combination remains untouched – the frontrow – after Bismarck du Plessis was restored to hooker ahead of Adriaan Strauss.
The Springbok team is: Willie le Roux; Cornal Hendricks, Jan Serfontein, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Francois Hougaard; Duane Vermeulen-Schalk Burger, Oupa Mohoje, Marcell Coetzee, Victor Matfield, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger-Warren Whiteley, Cobus Reinach, Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen.
Payback time for the Boks
The last time Pietersen played against the All Blacks he was a World Cup winner and they, not.
The Boks’ last win over the All Blacks came during the then Tri-Nations in 2011, on the cusp of the World Cup.
“I haven’t played them since that game in Port Elizabeth,” Pietersen acknowledged yesterday.
“They have only lost one and drawn one since then.”
When reminded that he should not carry any of the baggage from the recent defeats against the All Blacks, Pietersen’s riposte was sharp. “I’m part of the nation. Whenever South Africa loses it hurts.”
He will, however, have to wait to make his mark as coach Heyneke Meyer has invested in experience on the bench. Cornal Hendricks now commands the right wing post, while the 55-capped Pietersen has been earmarked as cover for centre as well.
“As a player every guy wants to be in the starting line-up. At the moment Cornal is playing very well, and Bryan (Habana) as well. You just have to wait for your opportunity to come.”
Plying his trade in Japan means it will be difficult for him to hold down a regular place in the squad. “It is also not nice to lose your momentum from June and start again in the Championship. That is part of the deal I had with Japan and I just have to deal with it.”
Meyer named Duane Vermeulen in his starting line-up despite the number eight’s current in-limbo fitness status. Vermeulen injured his ribs last weekend and will be given until tomorrow’s captain’s practice to prove his fitness.
Meyer can’t understate Vermeulen’s importance to the cause: “The battle of the loose-forwards will probably determine the outcome. We are facing probably the best loose-forwards in the world.”
After the brouhaha that followed his inclusion last week, there was hardly a whisper when Oupa Mohoje’s name was read out yesterday. He retained his place along with Marcell Coetzee but Schalk Burger will play at eight if Vermeulen fails to come through. In that event Warren Whiteley will take up position on the bench.
If declared fit Vermeulen will be one of eight starting returnees from last year’s blockbuster at Ellis Park. Only one combination remains untouched – the frontrow – after Bismarck du Plessis was restored to hooker ahead of Adriaan Strauss.
The Springbok team is: Willie le Roux; Cornal Hendricks, Jan Serfontein, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Francois Hougaard; Duane Vermeulen-Schalk Burger, Oupa Mohoje, Marcell Coetzee, Victor Matfield, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger-Warren Whiteley, Cobus Reinach, Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen.
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