Skip to content

Bryan Habana dropped as South Africa ring changes for Wales clash

Bryan Habana of South Africa breaks with the ball against Italy
Image: Bryan Habana has been left out of the South Africa side to face Wales despite scoring a try against Italy last weekend

South Africa coach Allister Coetzee has dropped veteran wing Bryan Habana and included three debutants in his side to play Wales on Saturday.

The Springboks have lost seven of 11 Tests this year, equalling their record for the most defeats in a season since returning to international rugby in 1992.

They hit a new low last week as they suffered their first defeat to Italy, going down 20-18 in Florence.

Habana returned from injury to score the opening try against Italy, taking his tally to 67 tries - just two shy of the all-time Test record - in 124 appearances, but he has now been dropped for the first time in his international career.

Sky Sports Black Friday sale
Sky Sports Black Friday sale

Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price!

Whenever fit and available, the 33-year-old has been included in Springbok matchday squads since making his debut in 2004, with 122 starts to his name.

Habana's place against Wales will be taken by debutant Jamba Ulengo, who featured in the tour-opening non-cap draw with the Barbarians at Wembley earlier this month.

Bryan Habana of South Africa goes over to score their third try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South A
Image: Habana has now scored 67 tries for the Springboks

The other new caps on show at Cardiff's Principality Stadium will be Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Uzair Cassiem.

Also See:

Another uncapped player, Jean-Luc du Preez, could make his debut off the bench.

Inside centre Janse van Rensburg, who also played against the Barbarians, takes over from Damian de Allende.

Back-row Cassiem, who did not feature against the Barbarians, replaces Willem Alberts, who has been ruled out because of a neck problem.

Italy's players celebrate after winning the rugby union Test match between Italy and South Africa at the Artmio Franchi Stadium in Florence on November 19,
Image: Italy's players celebrate their famous win over South Africa

A revamped backline sees the return of scrum-half Faf de Klerk and fly-half Elton Jantjies, while Johan Goosen starts at full-back in place of Willie le Roux.

Up front, Lourens Adriaanse comes in at tighthead in place of Vincent Koch.

Coetzee's starting XV will feature 14 players who will be based in South Africa for next year's Super Rugby tournament, with a further seven on the bench, and he is now looking towards the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

"We have a less experienced team, but I want to see some energy and an improved performance," he said. "Our selection is also keeping in mind of the process and necessity to build towards 2019.

"Jamba, Uzair and Rohan are examples of players who have forced their way into the squad through consistently performing well on the domestic scene and during training on tour, and now they are getting their opportunities to play for the Boks.

Wales lose Warburton
Wales lose Warburton

Injured captain to miss Cardiff clash with Springboks

"Recent matches against Wales have always delivered close-fought battles and small point margins and I expect more of the same on Saturday."

South Africa: 15 Johan Goosen, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk; 1 Tendai Mtawariri, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Nizaam Carr, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 8 Warren Whiteley.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Lionel Mapoe.

Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4!

Around Sky