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| Peter de Villiers © Gallo Images |
South Africa goes into its match with Italy on Saturday aiming
to end a three-game losing streak on its northern-hemisphere tour.
The world champion has lost to Leicester Tigers, France and
Saracens so far and its players have appeared jaded following a
long season in which they won the Tri-Nations title and beat the
British and Irish Lions.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has made four changes to the
team that lost 20-13 to France in Toulouse.
Wian du Preez replaces Tendai Mtawarira at prop, Andries Bekker
takes over from Victor Matfield in the second row, Adriaan Strauss
comes in for Bismarck du Plessis at hooker and Danie Rossouw takes
Schalk Burger's place in the back row.
"We have lost almost two front rows and it is reassuring to know
that there are players that we can call on to assist us," De
Villiers said.
"They have a very good pack of forwards and they showed in their
match against New Zealand that they will be very competitive at
scrum time."
A week ago Nick Mallett's side pushed New Zealand hard before
losing 20-6 and De Villiers expects Italy to continue its
improvement this weekend.
"The more experience they gain, the better they are becoming and
they are able to compete with any team on the day," De Villiers
said.
Italy coach Mallett knows the Springboks well after coaching
them for three years. Under his guidance South Africa set a record
with 17 consecutive test wins.
Despite South Africa's current form, Mallett has no doubt his
team faces a massive test.
"The have won it all," Mallett said. "They beat the Lions, they
won the Tri Nations and they won their last three matches against
the All Blacks.
"In the last two years they've won in New Zealand, which was
something that was always difficult for South African teams."
As a former backrow forward, Mallett has been particularly
impressed by the form of flanker Heinrich Brussow, who burst on to
the scene during the Lions tour and kept his place since.
"He is a fantastic player," Mallett said. "During the Currie Cup
final he was passing out of the rucks and mauls like a scrumhalf,
but it is his work on the ground that is truly superb."
Italy second row, Quintin Geldenhuys and Carlo Del Fava keep
their places in the starting lineup after Mallett made five changes
to the side that lost to the All Blacks.
The pair were both born and brought up in South Africa.
"In the second row I wanted to keep the pair that played against
New Zealand," Mallett said. "The game against South Africa is
important for them. They are Italian and play for Italy, but they
want to show South Africa that they too can play rugby."
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