South Africa v New Zealand, Tri-Nations, August 1
Boks and All Blacks forced in to changes
Scrum.com
July 31, 2009

Morne Steyn will start at fly-half for South Africa against the All Blacks in Durban on Saturday, the Bulls pivot replacing the injured Ruan Pienaar.

Pienaar was replaced at half-time in the Springboks' victory over New Zealand in Bloemfontein last weekend, and his ankle injury has caused coach Peter De Villiers to err on the side of caution this weekend.

Steyn will make his first Tri-Nations start, having made his debut against the British & Irish Lions in May. His long-range penalty won the second Test for the Springboks and he secured his first start in the third Test loss at Ellis Park.

The rest of the starting XV remains unchanged, but there are returns on the bench for centre Adi Jacobs and lock Andries Bekker.

Jacobs replaces Steyn on the bench, meaning that there is only one specialist fly-half in the 22, while Bekker slots in ahead of Sharks No.8 Ryan Kankowski. Wing Bryan Habana and centre Jean de Villiers will win their 50th caps in the game, while skipper John Smit will lead the side out for a record 60th time.

Graham Henry has called on young Canterbury prop Owen Franks to anchor the All Blacks' scrum. Franks replaces 36-test prop Neemia Tialata, who suffered a knee strain early in last weekend's 28-19 defeat.

One other change sees Jimmy Cowan return as the starting scrum-half in place of Brendon Leonard. Both Leonard and Tialata miss out on the 22 completely, with John Afoa promoted to the bench as cover for Franks while Piri Weepu remains the backup No.9.

South Africa: Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, John Smit (capt), Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Heinrich Brüssow, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies

Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Andries Bekker, Danie Rossouw, Ricky Januarie, Adi Jacobs, Wynand Olivier

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Isaac Ross, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Cory Jane

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