BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, 8 June 2004 — Springbok coach Jake White named three new caps in a young squad to take on Ireland at Vodacom Park in the first Test on Saturday.
“Ireland must be favorites. They beat England earlier this year and have a more settled combination and some truly world class stars,” White said.
In naming his match 22 for his debut Test in charge, White handed new caps to prop Eddie Andrews, scrum-half Fourie du Preez and wing Henno Mentz. “The backline is a little inexperienced but they all have Super 12 experience and have therefore played against some of the best in the world. I have full faith in this team,” White added. A major concern for the new coach is center De Wet Barry’s ankle injury, which could rule out one of his most experienced players.
Barry has been in sublime form this season and together with partner Marius Joubert, was expected to combat the lethal Irish pair of Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll.
O’Driscoll has long been regarded as one of the finest centers in the world and along with D’Arcy, the Six Nations Player of the Year, has created havoc for opposition defenses.
Since announcing his squad at the beginning of last month, White has seen no less than five players fall victim to various ailments, while a sixth, Percy Montgomery is also ruled out of the first Test.
Montgomery arrived at the camp with a broken hand. Du Preez voiced his confidence in the team, hinting at an expansive game plan strategy against the Irish. Springbok captain John Smit stressed yesterday there would be no boycott of the Ireland Test over a contract dispute between the country’s rugby football union (SARFU) and the association representing players (SARPA).
