Jean de Villiers named on South Africa bench v World XV
Wednesday 8 July 2015 12:56, UK
South Africa captain Jean de Villiers has been named on the bench for Saturday's exhibition against a World XV in Cape Town.
The 34-year-old centre was a major doubt for the World Cup after suffering a serious knee injury against Wales last November which required reconstructive surgery.
De Villiers, a 106-Test veteran, has not played at any level since but he has been selected by head coach Heyneke Meyer for the first of five matches for the Springboks ahead of the World Cup.
"Jean will probably only come on in the last five or 10 minutes but he really looks sharp in training," said Meyer.
Meyer will also give a debut to Jesse Kriel, moving the Bulls full-back to outside centre alongside Damian de Allende.
With Handre Pollard starting at fly-half, it means there are just 12 Test caps between the trio in a key area of the pitch.
"Jesse is an exciting player and I have always rated him," said Meyer. "I first saw him as a 19-year-old and thought then his best position was at outside centre.
"Jesse is one of the most talented players I have ever coached and it is up to him now to show that. He can be one of the best outside centres South Africa has ever produced."
Warren Whiteley is selected at No 8 after Duane Vermeulen underwent surgery, while Meyer revealed fellow forward Willem Alberts also faces a race in time to be fit for the World Cup due to back, knee and ankle problems.
With De Villiers on the bench, veteran lock Victor Matfield will captain the Springboks, one of three players alongside De Villiers and wing Bryan Habana in the 23-man matchday squad to have played more than 100 Tests.
"I can't wait to see them get going,” said Meyer. “They will make mistakes as they have never played together as a trio, but against a great World XV team it is good to give them a go."
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Bismark du Plessis, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 6 Francois Louw, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 8 Warren Whiteley.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Oupa Mahoje, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jean de Villiers.
