Teams for Tri Nations Round 3: Springboks vs All Blacks

The Springboks will start as firm favourites in their round three Tri Nations encounter against the All Blacks in Durban on Saturday 1st August 2009. After the dominant performance they put in last weekend in Bloemfontein, the Springboks surpassed the All Blacks as officially the world's best rugby union team.

Nevertheless, they will be well advised to bring their A game on Saturday, as the All Blacks are sure to be far more competitive. Any complacency from the Springboks is likely to lead to their downfall. But though they've been guilty of this in the past, the magnitude of the occasion is likely to dispel any over-confidence.

Springbok Team

The only change to the Springbok starting lineup is at flyhalf, where Morne Steyn comes in for the injured Ruan Pienaar. There has been a lot of debate lately about the relative merits of these two players - essentially Pienaar is more of an attacking, running player (in a scrum-half kind of way, which is not surprising since that's been his preferred position over the years), whereas Steyn is a more traditional kicking flyhalf. There's no doubt the Boks missed the services of a reliable kicker in the first half last week, but the question is - what do they give up for that luxury? The Boks lost the only other time Steyn started - in the third test against the British Lions, but let's not necessarily lay that at Morne's door. He's been very successful for the Blue Bulls - let's see if he can carry that over to the Springboks.

It's also an historic occasion for John Smit who becomes the most capped test captain ever, and both Bryan Habana and Jean de Villiers will play in their 50th test.

15. Frans Steyn
14. JP Pietersen
13. Jaque Fourie
12. Jean de Villiers
11. Bryan Habana
10. Morné Steyn
9. Fourie du Preez
8. Pierre Spies
7. Juan Smith
6. Heinrich Brüssow
5. Victor Matfield
4. Bakkies Botha
3. John Smit (captain)
2. Bismarck du Plessis
1. Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira

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

All Black Team

For the All Blacks, Jimmy Cowan returns at scrumhalf after being overlooked in favour of Brendon Leonard last week, and the injured Neemia Tialata is replaced by Owen Franks at tighthead prop. There's been some speculation lately that Luke McAlister should be given a run at inside centre in place of Nonu, who has been solid but unspectacular. The feeling is that McAlister will provide more of a creative spark in the midfield to create space for the outside backs. I for one wouldn't be surprised to see him on earlier rather than later in the second half.

Perhaps surprisingly, Graham Henry has once again elected to start with Andrew Hore at hooker, despite his problems throwing into the lineout in the last two games. It's an area New Zealand desperately needs to work for them this week if they are to apply any pressure to the Springboks.

15. Mils Muliaina
14. Joe Rokocoko
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Stephen Donald
9. Jimmy Cowan
8. Rodney So’oialo
7. Richie McCaw (captain)
6. Jerome Kaino
5. Isaac Ross
4. Brad Thorn
3. Owen Franks
2. Andrew Hore
1. Tony Woodcock,

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

Can the Springboks make it two in a row against the old foe? Perhaps, but methinks it'll be a close match. Kick-off is at 4pm GMT (5pm South African time).