Ackermann makes sweeping changes to SA 'A' side

 The match kicks off at 19h10 at Outeniqua Park in the picturesque Southern Cape and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

 

Although they lost the first match last Friday in Bloemfontein, mainly because of a lukewarm first-half performance, Ackermann’s team finished strongly and “won” the second half 21-10.

 

“This is the kind of urgency I’ll be looking for from the players,” said Ackermann.

 

“We tried things, but ultimately the first-half performance in Bloemfontein cost us dearly. If we can start on Friday like we finished off last week – bar that last try the Saxons scored – I know we can put together a much better show in George.

 

“I can also sense that the players are gelling a better on the training field having spent more time together and they know what is expected of them this weekend. If we can sharpen up on defence and look after the ball a bit better, the rest will come.”

 

Ackermann said the big number of changes was mainly made to afford every member of the squad playing time.

 

“These guys have worked incredibly hard over the last 10 days or so and all of them deserve an opportunity to get a taste of what international rugby is all about,” said Ackermann.

 

“Having said that, I believe we’ve put together a great side with some key combinations from their franchises teams for Friday’s match. There are some very good players in this squad and I’m excited for the challenge this weekend – as are they.”

 

At the back, Sergeal Petersen, Lukhanyo Am, Francois Brummer and Piet van Zyl will start in the places of Travis Ismaiel, Howard Mnisi, Garth April and Nic Groom respectively. Ismaiel and Mnisi are on the bench with Ntando Kebe.

 

Upfront, Arno Botha, Jean-Luc du Preez, RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Marcel van der Merwe and Malcolm Marx are in the starting line-up, replacing Nizaam Carr, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Stephan Lewies, JD Schickerling, Vincent Koch and Scarra Ntubeni.

 

Carr and Schickerling move to the replacements bench, where they will be joined by Edgar Marutlulle.

 

The SA ‘A’ team to face the England Saxons in George:

 

Nr

Name

Franchise / Province

15

Leolin Zas

DHL Stormers

14

Sergeal Petersen

Toyota Cheetahs

13

Francois Venter (vice-captain)

Toyota Cheetahs

12

Lukhanyo Am

Southern Kings / Cell C Sharks

11

Courtnall Skosan

Emirates Lions

10

Francois Brummer

Vodacom Bulls / Steval Pumas

9

Piet van Zyl

Vodacom Bulls

8

Arno Botha

Vodacom Bulls

7

Oupa Mohoje (captain)

Toyota Cheetahs

6

Jean-Luc du Preez

Cell C Sharks

5

RG Snyman

Vodacom Bulls

4

Jason Jenkins

Vodacom Bulls

3

Marcel van der Merwe

Vodacom Bulls

2

Malcolm Marx

Emirates Lions

1

Thomas du Toit

Cell C Sharks

Replacements:

16

Edgar Marutlulle

Southern Kings

17

Coenie Oosthuizen

Cell C Sharks

18

Lizo Gqoboka

Vodacom Bulls

19

JD Schickerling

DHL Stormers

20

Nizaam Carr

DHL Stormers

21

Ntando Kebe

Southern Kings

22

Howard Mnisi

Emirates Lions

23

Travis Ismaiel

Vodacom Bulls