Veteran lock Bakkies Botha is a surprise inclusion in South Africa’s rugby team to play Fiji on Saturday.

Coach Peter de Villiers however was forced to leave out Victor Matfield, utility back Butch James, winger Bryan Habana and centre Jean De Villiers.

The Springboks have made four changes to their starting line up and two more on the bench.

Pat Lambie starts at fullback with Francois Steyn moving to second five eighth.

Also missing out is Bryan Habana due to knee injury.

The Springboks have played Fiji twice before, winning both games.

In 1996 Springboks recorded a 43-18 win in Pretoria before recording a tense, 37-20 victory over Fiji in the quarter-finals of the 2007 tournament.

Fiji will take on South Africa at 6pm Saturday and you can catch the live commentary on our sister station Viti FM with the voice of rugby Malakai Veisamasama and expert comments from Ilivasi Tabua.    

Meanwhile, today at 7.30pm, USA will play against Russia in a Pool C match.


Story by: Dhanjay Deo