September 25, 2015
Rugby World Cup Lineups: South Africa v. Samoa
Doug Coil
September 26, 2015
South Africa v Samoa, Pool B, Pool B, Villa Park, Birmingham, Kickoff 16:45 – 11:45 ET
Referee: Wayne Barnes; Assistant Referee: JP Doyle, Angus Gardner; TV Match Official: Graham Hughes
South Africa starts a team with a team record 891 test caps. Victor Matfield will make his 16th Rugby World Cup match appearance, which ties him for second place on the team. Before the RWC is over, he should be first. Eben Etzebeth, Duane Vermeulen and Willie Le Roux, each nominated in the past for World Rugby players of the year honors will each start. The latter two did not play in the upset loss to Japan.
Samoa made 3 changes from their win over the USA. Mike Stanley, TJ Ioane and Motu Matu’u all start. Ioane was not on the match day lineup against the USA.
This match is a key match toward advancing to the Quarterfinals. Samoa wants to cement a spot, while South Africa wants to get back in the hunt.
South Africa Ranked 6th: HC Heyneke Meyer Starters: 1. Tendai Mtawarira 2. Adriaan Strauss 3. Jannie Du Plessis 4. Eben Etzebeth 5. Victor Matfield 6. Francois Louw 7. Schalk Burger 8. Duane Vermeulen 9. Fourie De Preez 10. Handre Pollard
11. Bryan Habana 12. Damian De Allende 13. Jean De Villiers (c) 14. JP Pietersen
15. Willie Le Roux Replacements: 16. Schalk Brits (H) 17. Trevor Nyakane (P) 18. Frans Malherbe (P) 19. Lodewyk De Jager (L) 20. Siya Kolisi (F) 21. Ruan Pienaar (SH) 22. Pat Lambie (FH) 23. Jesse Kriel (C)
Samoa Ranked 10th: HC Stephen Betham Starters: 1. Sakaria Taulafo 2. Motu Matu’u 3. Anthony Perenise 4. Teofilo Paulo 5. Iosefa Tekori 6. TJ Ioane 7. Jack Lam 8. Ofisa Treviranus (c) 9. Kahn Fotuali’i 10. Mike Stanley 11. Alesana Tuilagi 12. Rey Lee-Lo 13. Paul Perez 14. Ken Pisi 15. Tim Nanai-Williams Replacements: 16. Ole Avei (H) 17. Viliamu Afatia (P) 18. Census Johnston (P) 19. Faifili Levave (F) 20. Vavae Tuilagi (8) 21. Vavao Afemai (SH) 22. Tusi Pisi (FH) 23. George Pisi (C)
