The nucleus of the Springbok side which routed all-comers on their five-Test, tour of Europe, averaging just under 50 points a game against Italy, France (twice), England and Scotland, have predictably been called upon by Nick Mallett to kick-start their international season against Ireland.
The most eye-catching selection is that of the Griqualand West sensation Gaffie du Toit. Even du Toit's nomination at out-half as heir apparent to the injured Henry Honiball is not a surprise. That Mallett should pick a rookie without any Currie Cup or Super 12 exposure is perhaps as much a compliment to this reputedly extraordinary talent as it is to the coach's bold instincts.
"He's got an old head on young shoulders," reasoned Mallett yesterday. "I'm sure he'll be able to handle the pressure. He's had a fantastic season so far. He's obviously got a good kicking game but he can run as well."
Another debutant on the rightwing is the Boland and Western Stormers' flyer Stefan Terblanche, one of South Africa's few individual success stories in the Super 12s this season. The other three changes from the side which rounded off that aforementioned tour with a facile 68-10 win over Scotland see the experienced pair of Pieter Muller and Joost van der Westhuizen return at centre and scrum-half, with Ollie le Roux winning his second cap in place of the injured Os du Randt.
In some cases, loyalty has outweighed poor Super 12 form, most notably that of full-back Percy Montgomery and left-winger Pieter Rossouw. However, Mallett seems to extract the best out of Montgomery especially (eight tries and 58 points in 10 tests), as well as Rossouw (11 tries in 11 tests).
Gary Teichmann, the 31-yearold number eight, again leads the side. The rest are all in their 20s, with the team's average age being just under 26. Yet they're a pretty experienced side at that, with most in the prime of their careers.
South Africa (v Ireland): P Montgomery; S Terblanche, A Snyman, P Muller, P Rossouw; G du Toit, J van der Westhuizen; O le Roux, J Dalton, A Garvey, K Otto, M Andrews, J Erasmus, G Teichmann (capt), A Venter. Replace- ments: M Hendricks, F Smith, W Swanepoel, A Aitken, B Skinstad, R Kempson, N Drotske.
