Springboks bulk up for Ireland game

South Africa return to Lansdowne Road this weekend with just one survivor from the team beaten 17-12 by Ireland two years ago. Captain John Smith led the Springboks to only their second defeat by the Irish and the Natal Sharks hooker is in charge again.

Prop CJ van der Linde and flanker Danie Rossouw were named on the bench at Lansdowne Road two years ago but will start on Saturday.

South Africa coach Jake White has fielded a new-look back three, with full-back Bevin Fortuin and wingers Jaco Pretorius and Francois Steyn making their Test debuts.

Pretorius and Steyn, who usually feature at centre and outhalf respectively, are being played out of position - with White hoping their bulk will contain Ireland out wide.

With the wing spots filled, try-machine Bryan Habana has been handed the number 13 jersey despite having never played international rugby at outside centre.

All 22 of Habana's caps have come on the wing, and his last appearance in the midfield was on domestic duty in 2004.

Outhalf Andre Pretorius will make his first appearance in Europe since the disastrous 2002 tour when the Springboks were smashed by England and well beaten by Scotland.

Ricky Januarie will be his halfback partner, with first choice number nine Fourie du Preez - one of the five nominations for International Rugby Board Player of the Year - missing the tour.

As expected, White's preference for size has been extended to the pack - where none of the second or back rows is less than 6ft 5in tall.

Natal lock Johan Ackermann, who won the last of his eight caps during the 2001 Tri-Nations, has been recalled at the age of 36.

White has left a number of senior players such as Os du Randt, Victor Matfield and Schalk Burger at home as he seeks to build a squad capable of challenging for the World Cup.

South Africa will wear replicas of their 1906 green and white jersey, with no sponsor's logo, on Saturday to commemorate a centenary of Springbok rugby.

Team Manager Zola Yeye said: "As we prepare for France 2007, we want to make sure we have the necessary depth to provide ourselves with as many options as possible.

"The three new players represent that vision."

Team:B Fortuin (Free State); J Pretorius (Lions), B Habana (Blue Bulls), J de Villiers (Western Province), F Steyn (Natal Sharks); A Pretorius (Lions), R Januarie (Lions); L Sephaka (Lions), J Smith (Natal Sharks, captain), CJ van der Linde (Free State), J Ackermann (Natal Sharks), A van den Berg (Natal Sharks), D Rossouw (Blue Bulls), J Smith (Free State), P Spies (Blue Bulls).

Substitutes:C Ralepelle (Blue Bulls), BJ Botha (Natal Sharks), J Muller (Natal Sharks), J Cronjé (Lions), R Pienaar (Natal Sharks), W Olivier (Blue Bulls), JP Pietersen (Natal Sharks.