The Springbok side to tackle the Lions in the second test is as follows:

Springbok XV

1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. John Smit – Captain
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield
6. Schalk Burger
7. Juan Smith
8. Pierre Spies
9. Fourie du Preez
10. Ruan Pienaar
11. Bryan Habana
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Adi Jacobs
14. JP Pietersen
15. Frans Steyn

Reserves:

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle
17. Deon Carstens
18. Andries Bekker
19. Danie Rossouw
20. Heinrich Brüssow
21. Jaque Fourie
22. Morné Steyn

The main change to the side sees Schalk Burger return to the 6 shirt to win his 50th cap at the expense of Henrich Brüssow, despite the Cheetah having such a successful game in the 1st test. It's no surprise really, given that Peter De Villiers recently said that he based 60% of what the Boks did up front around the huge presence of Schalk Burger. Brüssow has to settle for a spot on the bench.

The Bok management have chosen to retain Adi Jacobs at centre and Jaque Fourie and Morné Steyn once again have to settle for bench spots. The changes to the bench see Ricky Januarie lose his spot while Chiliboy Ralepelle comes in to the side in place of Gurthrö Steenkamp. The Springboks clearly plan to tighten the screw on what is now perceived to be a weak Lions front row.

Peter De Villiers has settled on a 5/2 split between backs and forwards and there is the distinct sense that he plans to shut the Lions down at source in scrum, lineout and breakdown. With no reserve scrum-half, Ruan Pienaar provides cover with Morné Steyn the recognised bench 10.

“We believe in the abilities of our players and we are confident that they will take things up a few notches on Saturday,” said Springbok coach, Peter de Villiers.

“We are a squad of 22 focused on a common objective, which is to go out and win a Test Series against a very good Lions team. We know that we will be faced by a Lions team that will be playing to level the Test Series and will provide us with a stern test. We must make sure that we are more than equal to the task.”
The Lions meet the Springboks in what is a 'must-win' game for the tourists this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.