Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has named Cheetahs flank forward Heinrich Brüssow in his starting team for Saturday's first test with the British and Irish Lions after Schalk Burger failed to prove his fitness.

De Villiers, who only confirmed that Brüssow had joined the squad on Monday, has also named Sharks utilitu back Frans Steyn at fullback and uncapped Bulls flyhalf Morné Steyn on the bench.

The lineup sees John Smit, as expected, starting at tighthead prop and includes XV playes with a combined total of over 700 test caps.

Smit, the most experienced member of the team in terms of caps, will lead the Springboks out at Absa Stadium as they take on the famous British & Irish Lions team for the first time since their 2-1 series defeat in 1997.

Sixteen players in the match 22 participated in the Springboks’ previous test, against England at Twickenham in November 2008.

The Test will be the 44th encounter between the Springboks and the Lions since 1891. South Africa has won 21, the Lions 16 and 6 Tests have been drawn.

The Test will be the fourth between the Springboks and the Lions to be played in Durban. The Springboks have won two of the previous three (1924 and 1962) and the Lions one (1997).

South Africa: 15 Frans Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Adi Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8. Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Jaque Fourie, 22 Morné Steyn.

Date: Saturday June 21
Time: 15:00 (13:00 GMT)
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Stuart Dickinson, Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
TMO: Christophe Berdos (France)

365

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