South Africa drop Bryan Habana for Wales encounter
Star wing Bryan Habana has been left out of the South Africa team for Saturday's Test match against Wales
©PA
Head coach of South Africa Allister Coetzee has made as many as seven changes to his line-up including dropping of star wing Bryan Habana for the clash against Wales at Millennium Stadium.
The 2007 World Player of the Year, Habana, misses out on the matchday 23 despite scoring a try in the previous game against Italy, which the Springboks lost 20-18.
Flanker Willem Alberts misses out on the selection with a neck injury. Backs Johan Goosen, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Jamba Ulengo, Elton Jantjies and Faf de Klerk, flanker Uzain Cassiem and prop Lourens Adrianseeare are all given starts for the Saturday's encounter.
Cotezee, who has been facing criticism for the poor performance of Springboks believes blooding youngsters is the way forward as they look to regain their form.
"I'm sure they will be up there in the long term and they'll be right up there in 2019.
"You can't go in year three [of the world cup cycle] and think you can change before the world cup.
"It's been a terrible year, it's been a tough year but maybe it's the right time to go that route and get something out of this."
Coetzee also stated that this is not the end of the road for Habana and further insisted that decision on the players performance will be discussed in the annual review that will be conducted by the South African board at the end of the year.
"I wouldn't say this is the end for Bryan Habana, he's got not just a role on the field, but a massive role off the field for South Africa rugby.
"What he's been doing this week to mentor Jamba Ulengo and share his experience, it's important for us."
South Africa team: Johan Goosen; Ruan Combrinck, Francois Venter, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Jamba Ulengo; Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk; Tendai Mtawariri, Adriaan Strauss (capt), Lourens Adriaanse, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lood de Jager, Nizaam Carr, Uzair Cassiem, Warren Whiteley.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, teven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Franco Mostert, Jean-Luc du Preez, Piet van Zyl, Pat Lambie, Lionel Mapoe.
