Rugby Union: Springbok advance reflected in Test side

THE VAST change that has overcome South African rugby as they have become familiar with the world game was shown last night when the Springbok team to play England in the first Test in Pretoria on Saturday contained only three who played at Twickenham 18 months ago.

Only Pieter Muller, James Small and Tiaan Strauss of those trounced 35-16 survive to face Will Carling's side, though the London-born Steve Atherton was among those on that tour. John Allan, Scotland's World Cup hooker, is another who has successfully sought pastures new.

Saturday's team are much changed even from the last time South Africa played a Test. Only eight of the players who beat Argentina by a half- century in November survive.

There are three new caps, all of whom have already played in winning teams against England on tour: Brendan Venter, Ollie le Roux and Fritz van Heerden, who is in on the strength of yesterday's performance for the South African A team here.

SOUTH AFRICA (v England, Pretoria, Saturday): A Joubert (Natal); J Small (Natal), B Venter (Orange Free State), P Muller (Natal), C Williams (Western Province); H le Roux (Transvaal), J van der Westhuizen (Northern Transvaal); O le Roux (Orange Free State), J Allan (Natal), B Swart (Transvaal), H Strydom (Transvaal), S Atherton (Natal), F van Heerden (Western Province), T Strauss (Western Province), F Pienaar (Transvaal, capt). Replacements: F Meiring (Northern Transvaal), J Stransky (Western Province), J Roux (Transvaal), R Kruger (Northern Transvaal), J le Roux (Transvaal), J Dalton (Transvaal).

(Photograph omitted)