Boks team unchanged for All Blacks

Springbok coach, Heyneke Meyer, named an unchanged match-23 to face New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland in the fourth round of The Castle Lager Rugby Championship on Saturday.

"We're very fortunate to have a touring squad of 28 fit players to choose from but following the performance last weekend against Australia, it made sense not to make any changes," said Meyer. "Continuity in selection has been something we wanted to address this year and I'm very happy that we've not been forced into making too many changes yet."The 23 who played against Australia, deserved another chance this week as we believe in rewarding good form."

Meyer also said he had faith in all the players in the squad.

"I feel we've now got to a situation where any player can come in at any stage without too much disruption."

After beating Australia for the first time at Suncorp Stadium last weekend, the Springboks travelled to New Zealand where they will face the tough task of securing their first away victory over the All Blacks since 2009.

"We had a good win last weekend, but that is in the past now," said Meyer. "Playing the All Blacks in New Zealand is the ultimate challenge in rugby and one we're very excited about facing. We're only halfway through the Castle Lager Rugby Championship with three very tough games ahead, but this weekend we're facing the best team in the world and it will not be easy."

The Springbok team:

1. Tendai Beast Mtawarira

2. Bismarck du Plessis

3. Jannie du plessis

4. Eben Etzebeth

5. Flip van de Merwe

6. Francois Louw

7. Williem Alberts

8. Duane Vermeulen

9. Ruan Pienaar

10. Morne Steyn

11. Bryan Habana

12. Jean de Villiers

13. JJ Engelbrecht

14. Willie le Roux

15. Zane Kirchner

Replacements:

Adriaan Strauss

Gurthro Steenkamp

Coenie Oosthuizen

 Juandre Kruger

Siya Kolisi

Jano Vermaak

Pat Lambie

Jan Serfontein

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

- Mak Dlamini - ECR Sportswave

- Twitter - @MakDlamini - @ECRSportswave