Smit at hooker as tourists go for broke

RUGBY/IRELAND v SOUTH AFRICA:AS A statement of intent, it was both predictable and impressive. One of the problems with being Six Nations Grand Slam champions is everyone else takes you a little more seriously. Hence, in effect, the world champions have selected their strongest possible side for the finale to their remarkable year at Croke Park tomorrow.

As expected Springbok skipper John Smit has been shifted back to hooker, with Ulster’s BJ Botha starting at tighthead. As Leinster’s CJ van der Linde and Munster’s Jean de Villiers are both promoted to the bench, this makes for three Ireland-based players in the South African 22, which is assuredly a first.

Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira, who was tamed by John Hayes when they briefly made acquaintances in the third Lions test, returns to the starting XV in place of Wian du Preez, who drops out of the match-day 22, as does the injured Adriaan Strauss, who started at hooker against Italy.

Victor Matfield returns to the secondrow, replacing Andries Bekker. With number eight Ryan Kankoski concussed against Italy, Danie Rossouw moves from flank to number eight, with Schalk Burger, sure to receive a warm welcome after getting up close and personal in the early stages of the Lions’ second Test with Luke Fitzgerald, starting at blindside.

The only other player ruled out is centre Adi Jacobs, hence Wynand Olivier replacing him.

In addition to Van der Linde and De Villiers, there are two more changes on the bench – hooker Bismarck du Plessis returns from injury and flanker Dewald Potgieter is included in the Test 22 for the first time.

Smit, making his sixth appearance against Ireland, won the first 77 of his 92 caps at hooker before being switched to tighthead at the end of 2008, although it was the way the Boks suddenly turned the scrum battle around against the Azzurri when he reverted to hooker which no doubt prompted this change. He last started at hooker in the Super 14.

“Hopefully, it will be like riding a bicycle,” smiled Smit, who was in strikingly relaxed mood.

“What good fortune we have at the moment,” said Springboks’ coach Pieter de Villiers, in explaining his rationale. “We couldn’t make any choices three months back. We had just to take the guys that were there and we played them into the ground.

“Now suddenly we can choose and make some tactical moves on the field and play around with players.”

Smit was equally phlegmatic about the notion that the three Ireland- based players will provide a host of inside information.

“Hopefully (it will be) a bit better than the feedback Victor and I gave in the French Test,” he quipped in reference to that 20-15 defeat. “I don’t think their experiences can yet help us prepare as a team. I think it will help them as individuals, being able to round their skills and learn to fit things, but we’ve had to stick to our guns, pretty much like any other last Test of the year, where we’ve got to stick to what we know and do those things as best as possible.”

Similarly, he downplayed the presence of their World Cup-winning forwards coach Gert Smal on the Ireland ticket.

“Well, their lineouts have a very familiar look to what we know,” said Smit with a knowing chuckle, “and he’s a very astute forwards coach.

“He’s very particular, his detail is incredible so I’m pretty sure they’ll have a fairly good idea of what we do as much as we’ve got of what they do.

“The Irish team have been good for a number of years now,” added Smit. “They’ve got good experience and are certainly well coached. It will be a very tough Test and to be fair I think an epic one.

“They’re Six Nations champions so they’ve proven what they’re worth and we’ve had a pretty good year as well. So I think it’s an exciting day at the office for both teams to be able to measure up against each other.”

Nor, despite evidence to the contrary, was he citing fatigue within the Boks ranks. “I think it’s silly to use that as an excuse at the end of a season,” said the multi-decorated South African captain, pointing out they will be in pre-season training in three weeks.

“So there’s no real end, it’s just a different part of the year.”

The Springboks coach would also appear to have undergone something of a volte face in now adding a third overseas-based player, though necessity being the mother of invention, it also makes practical sense to alter this policy.

Jean de Villiers was pleasantly surprised to figure for the Boks on this tour, not to mind in this particular game.

Forecasting “a great spectacle”, the Munster centre revealed he had been texted by Ronan O’Gara during the week.

“I’ve never played in a Test match where you’ve actually got friends in an opposing team and your team-mates.

“Rog SMS-ed me during the week just saying he’s been dropped and he’s obviously massively disappointed but that just shows the contact that we have at the moment and I can really call them my friends at this stage.”

“Obviously, Rog could be running out in the same number jersey as myself,” added the Munster and South African centre – well, almost – “so hopefully we’ll be able to swap jerseys at the end of the game and get it signed by him.

“One for the collection box back home. I’ll remember it in years to come, definitely.”