South Africa's Bismarck Du Plessis will start at hooker in their Rugby World Cup pool B match against Scotland on Sunday. Photo / AP
South Africa head coach Heyneke Meyer has made three changes to his team for the Pool B Rugby World Cup clash against Scotland on Sunday.
Bismarck du Plessis steps in for Adriaan Strauss at hooker, Lodewyk de Jager comes in for Victor Matfield at number five and Jesse Kriel will
man outside-centre with injured Jean de Villiers ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.
There are two fewer centurions in this Springboks line-up compared to the last. De Villiers has left the squad and Matfield is not in the 23. Bryan Habana (112 caps) is the only centurion that remains in the starting line-up.Scrum-half Fourie du Preez (pictured with Meyer) will captain the Springboks for the first time in his 73-test career.
He is only the fifth player to captain South Africa following RWC 2007. The others are (with tests as captain since 2007 in parentheses): De Villiers (37), John Smit (35), Victor Matfield (19) and Schalk Burger (1).
The front row of Tendai Mtawarira/Bismarck du Plessis/Jannie du Plessis will be deployed for the 20th time, extending the Springbok record for a front row. The world record is still the 29 by Ireland's Cian Healy/Rory Best/Mike Ross.
