Mehrtens reclaims All Black place
CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens has been recalled to the New Zealand starting line-up by coach Graham Henry for Saturday's Tri-nations test against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Mehrtens replaces Carlos Spencer who is dropped from the side that lost 23-18 to Australia in Sydney last Saturday.
In two other changes, Simon Maling replaces Ali Williams at lock and Sam Tuitupou comes in at inside center for Dan Carter who has an ankle injury.
"Carlos has been a major influence on this group of people as a leader and it's disappointing that we have had to replace him but his form last week wasn't as good as we hoped," Henry said on Tuesday.
"It's just a form thing really. He has been the number one flyhalf for the last seven internationals but is just struggling for a bit of form at the moment.
"Andrew Mehrtens came on in Sydney and played pretty positively and we're just hoping he can continue that form."
Mehrtens will win his 70th cap and his first start in the Tri-nations since 2002 after being overlooked throughout the 2003 World Cup year by former All Black coach John Mitchell.
"I didn't expect to be in this position at the start of the year," he said.
Aaron Mauger and Nick Evans replace Mehrtens and Tuitupou on the bench.
New Zealand are top of the Tri-nations table ahead of Australia on points difference.
Matfield back
Springbok coach Jake White makes three changes -- including the return of lock Victor Matfield for a 28th cap after he missed the narrow defeats in New Zealand and Australia because of a knee injury.
No. 8 Joe van Niekerk returns to the side to add height at the back of the lineout, and scrumhalf Johannes Conradie replaces Fourie du Preez.
In the one positional change Gerrie Britz shifts from lock to blindside flanker in place of A.J. Venter.
"We've looked at our match against the All Blacks in New Zealand, and that's why we've gone for some extra lineout options," said White.
He also said his changes were geared towards extra speed.
"Everybody knows what Joe van Niekerk brings to a match when he's in shape," said White. "I will be able to play him for at least 60 minutes now that he is over his groin injury."
White said he felt comfortable with the changes, because his replacement bench would serve him well. "When I go to the bench, I will know that I will be back with my starting lineup from the last few weeks."
South Africa Percy Montgomery; Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, Jean de Villiers; Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Johannes Conradie; Joe van Niekerk, Gerrie Britz, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Eddie Andrews, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.
Replacements: Hanyani Shimange, C.J. van der Linde, A. J. Venter, Jacques Cronje, Fourie du Preez, Gaffie du Toit, Brent Russell
New Zealand Mils Muliaina; Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga (captain), Sam Tuitupou, Joe Rokocoko; Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall; Xavier Rush, Marty Holah, Jono Gibbes, Simon Maling, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws.
Replacements: Andrew Hore, Greg Somerville, Mose Tuiali'i, Craig Newby, Byron Kelleher, Nick Evans, Aaron Mauger.
