South Africa rings changes for Samoa match

Stung by its shock loss to Japan, South Africa dropped eight players yesterday but kept faith with under-fire veterans Jean de Villiers and Victor Matfield in the starting team for the Rugby World Cup game against Samoa on Saturday. De Villiers’ captaincy and place in the side were questioned following the Springboks’ 34-32 defeat to the Japanese, in what ranks as the biggest upset in the tournament’s history. “It was one of the most difficult decisions of my life to make,” Meyer said at the team announcement in Birmingham. “I had a long and hard chat with him and I just decided as a coach - and I will stand by my decision - that if you go into a fight that you have to win, that your whole career and whole country depends on, I really want to take a guy that has had six knee operations.” The 38-year-old Matfield has been another senior player to cop criticism, but he was also retained and reunited with Eben Etzebeth in the second row. Meyer picked a new halfback combination in Fourie du Preez and Handre Pollard, recalled No. 8 Duane Vermeulen for his first test this year as well as backs Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen and Damian de Allende, and dropped hooker Bismarck du Plessis for Adriaan Strauss. Meyer’s decision to select some fringe players against Japan backfired, but he has picked his strongest team for the Springboks’ second Pool B match in Birmingham. “We deserve all the criticism. It is unacceptable for the Springboks. We are a proud nation and a proud team,” Meyer said. “We have had immense support from South Africa, even if we don’t deserve it, and I just want to thank all the guys that supported us. I’ve probably had more emails and SMSes than ever in my life, even more than when we beat the All Blacks.” South Africa: Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers (captain), Damian De Allende, Bryan Habana, Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Schalk Brits, Trevor Nyakane, Frans Malherbe, Lood de Jager, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jesse Kriel. NAMPA/AP