Springboks make two changes

Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli has made two changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s second Test against Scotland in Johannesburg.

Bulls full-back Jaco van der Westhuyzen replaces Ricardo Loubscher and Marius Joubert will play at outside-centre in the place of injured Sharks midfielder Andre Snyman.

Sharks utility back Brent Russell has been included among the substitutes in an otherwise unchanged team from that which beat Scotland 29-25 in the first Test in Durban.

“Jaco and Marius have trained with the squad since we got together on May 29, so they have slotted in easily while Brent has looked very enthusiastic and energetic at training,” Straeuli told www.sarugby.net.

Straeuli is also confident the Boks would show more fluidity against Scotland on Saturday.

“I am expecting a more cohesive and impressive performance,” he added. “We did not play well in Durban but importantly got the first Test win. A lot of hard work has gone into the last two weeks of preparation and ideally we want this to come through on the playing field.”

Team: J van der Westhuyzen (Blue Bulls); S Terblanche (Natal Sharks), M Joubert (Western Province), T Halstead (Natal Sharks), A Willemse (Lions), L Koen (Lions); J van der Westhuizen (Blue Bulls, capt); L Sephaka (Lions), D Coetzee (Blue Bulls), R Bands (Blue Bulls), B Botha (Blue Bulls), V Matfield (Blue Bulls), H Gerber (Western Province), W Van Heerden (Lions), P Wannenburg (Blue Bulls)

Replacements: R Kempson (Stormers), C Visagie (Western Province), S Boome (Western Province), J Smith (Free State Cheetahs), C Davidson (Natal Sharks), G Bobo (Lions), B Russell (Natal Sharks).