Three new caps face the Barbarian horde

Promising Golden Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies will enjoy his first taste of international rugby when he turns out for the Springboks against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday.

The 20-year-old, who scored 141 points in the Currie Cup and deservedly earned a place in the Bok touring party, is one of three new caps in the Boks' starting line-up.

Sharks centre Andries Strauss and Cheetahs prop Coenie Oosthuizen will also make their senior green and gold debuts while scrumhalf Charl McLeod could earn a Bok cap from the bench. The match doesn't carry Test status.

Sharks flyhalf Patrick Lambie, who has earned four Test caps on the current tour, will start at fullback in a side that shows 12 changes from the team that beat England 21-11 last Saturday.

Jantjies's appearances have been limited to the training ground as coach Peter de Villiers shied away from throwing him into the heat of Test rugby.

The Barbarians fixture, though, while essentially an exhibition match, will have a keen edge to it and will be of a higher standard than anything the youngster has faced before.

The Baabaas are made up mostly of New Zealanders and Australians, the Boks' bitter Tri-Nations rivals, and are coached by former Springbok coach Nick Mallett. The ingredients for a tasty afternoon are all there.

Although Mallett had only three training sessions to work with his team, the fact that they mainly come from two countries will ensure there is some built-in cohesion.

And Jantjies will be one of the men that giant centre Ma'a Nonu will try to exploit. The All Black is paired with Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper in the midfield, while wings Joe Rokocoko and Drew Mitchell will almost certainly come charging into the midfield to test Jantjies.

"I have seen Jantjies play in the Currie Cup," Mallett told the press this week. "The way he attacks is very dangerous. He is an elusive flyhalf. Obviously there is a question about size and how he will defend that channel, but it's actually your system that determines how good your defence is.

"If he understands the system and his role in it, there is no reason that he cannot do very well."

There is no doubt that big runners will be hitting that channel all afternoon. But De Villiers has clearly noted Mallett's intentions and the selection of Strauss, one of the most effective defenders in the Currie Cup, is a clear decision to offer Jantjies support in midfield.

The former SA under-20 star will have the added pressure of goal-kicking duty in what could be difficult conditions if the sleety, cold London weather persists.

Lock Alistair Hargreaves appears for the first time on tour along with wing Odwa Ndungane, while Lambie, centre Adi Jacobs, flank Willem Alberts, hooker Adriaan Strauss and prop CJ van der Linde all make their first starts on tour.

"The newcomers have been waiting for their chance and will bring energy and enthusiasm to the line-up at the end of a long season," De Villiers said. "They have trained well and been patient throughout the tour and this is their chance to show what they can do."

• Bulls prop Werner Kruger will join the Springboks today and will be on the bench on Saturday.