WELLINGTON - Specialist openside flanker Francois Louw was selected to combat Richie McCaw’s influence among two changes to South Africa’s starting lineup for Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand in Dunedin.
Flip van der Merwe has been named to replace lock Eben Etzebeth who was suspended for two matches for head-butting opposite number Nathan Sharpe during the Springboks’ loss to Australia in Perth last weekend.
And Louw replaces Marcell Coetzee at openside flanker in the only other change to the South African starting 15.
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer said Louw had been chosen to better combat the All Blacks’ loose game, headed by his New Zealand opposite McCaw.
“The New Zealanders are good on the ground which is why we decided to go for a specialist openside flank in Francois,” Meyer said.
South Africa: Zane Kirchner, Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers (captain), Frans Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Morn Steyn, Ruan Penaar, Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Juandre Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Beast Mtawarira. Reserves: Tiaan Liebenberg, Dean Greyling, Andries Bekker, Marcell Coetzee, Johan Goosen, Juan de Johngh, Patrick Lambie.