South Africa recall Venter for Durban duel

South African coach Jake White has made one change for Saturday’s Tri Nations showdown, Gerrie Britz losing out to AJ Venter on the blind side flank.

It’s a pretty tough call on Britz, after being part of such an inspiring win. But the more abrasive style of Venter has earned him the recall, after he was dropped for the All Blacks match, where it was felt that greater lineout options were needed.

However, with Victor Matfield back in the fold, and playing against a different style opposing backrow including George Smith and Phil Waugh, it was clearly felt that Venter would be the wiser option.

Meantime, Clyde Rathbone has been left under no illusions about his return to South Africa with the Australian side. Rathbone, who captained South Africa to the U-21 World Cup just two years ago, is the subject of an advertisement that shows him getting tackled heavily by the Pacific Islanders and being treated by the doctor afterwards. Rathbone dismissed the ad as ‘immature’. Mind you, he didn’t endear himself to his former compatriots when he revealed he no longer knew the words to the South African national anthem.