Bok scrum gets a push

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has tacitly admitted that he erred last week after naming prop CJ van der Linde on the bench for Saturday's Tri-Nations match against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth.

Van der Linde is the only prop in the current group who can operate on both sides of the scrum, which should save John Smit the ignominy of having to play tighthead again. Last week Smit was murdered in the scrum against Australia when he was asked to play at tighthead in the final quarter because Gurthro Steenkamp, who is a loosehead, was on the bench.

It made a mockery of the Bok captain.

Earlier this year, De Villiers said Smit would only be considered as a hooker, but in the three Tri-Nations games the Boks have played so far, Smit has spent time at both loosehead and tighthead.

But the coach claims it's all part of a plan.

"We have a World Cup plan, and if our minds were only on Saturday's game we would upset our wider plan," he said.

"A victory would serve its purpose as part of the World Cup plan too because when you are doing your general planning, you obviously don't plan for losses and you don't intend them to happen. You want to win every game if you can."

Van der Linde's inclusion among the reserves should at least ensure that the Boks maintain scrum equity throughout the match. Last week, after the scrum fell apart, the rest followed and Australia rallied for a 14-9 win.

This week the skipper is on the bench with Bismarck du Plessis starting at last.

Smit is still struggling with a bad does of flu and will be monitored throughout the week as Chiliboy Ralepelle remains on stand-by.

Du Plessis's elevation above Smit in the starting line-up could be a signal of the way the Bok pack will look at the World Cup, with lock Victor Matfield leading the team.

Besides Du Plessis's inclusion, De Villiers made four additional changes to the starting line-up by selecting Pat Lambie at fullback in place of the injured Frans Steyn. He also surprisingly recalled Morne Steyn at flyhalf with Butch James dropping to the bench.

Up front, Willem Alberts makes a welcome return to blindside flank in place of Danie Rossouw, while Steenkamp starts in place of Tendai Mtawarira.

Rossouw will cover lock from the bench - a possible indication that his days as a test-level loose forward are over - with Ashley Johnson covering the back row.

Mtawarira is also included on the bench as De Villiers opted for a five-two split between backs and forwards. Francois Hougaard is the scrumhalf and wing cover with James ready to play flyhalf or centre.

"This is our last chance to look at certain combinations before the Rugby World Cup. We've had these changes in mind since we started our planning for the international season, depending on the injury situation," De Villiers said.

SPRINGBOK TEST TEAM:

Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez. Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts, Heinrich Brüssow, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis and Gurthrö Steenkamp. Reserves: John Smit, Tendai Mtawarira, CJ van der Linde, Danie Rossouw, Ashley Johnson, Francois Hougaard and Butch James.