Springbok wing Bryan Habana has been given time off from the Springbok team’s preparations in Nelspruit this week after the birth of his son and Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer says he is not worried about Habana missing out on training this week. Meyer confirmed that Habana will rejoin the national team on Jume 20 ahead of the Springboks second Test against Wales at Mbombela Stadium on June 21

Meyer has made two changes to his starting line-up with Tendai Mtawarira replacing Gurthro Steenkamp in the frontrow and Flip van der Merwe coming in for Bakkies Botha at lock. Meyer said the decision to bring back Van der Merwe was in order to give Botha a rest and that it was also a rotational move…..

In a surprise move, Meyer has recalled former Bulls centre Wynand Olivier to the match day 23 with Olivier set to start on the bench. Meyer said that there would be changes in the next Test against Scotland in Port Elizabeth next week but had refrained from making wholesome changes for the Test against Wales with the fear of breaking the team’s momentum and also wanting to keep intact his best team…..

Springbok captain Victor Matfield will on Saturday become the most capped player in Springbok history when he makes his 112th appearance. Meyer lauded Matfield as a player and his ability to come out of retirement and still prove himself worthy to play international rugby……

Meyer believes that Matfield can still be better than he was before retiring in 2011 and that his contribution to the Springboks cause will be most felt in the Tests against Australia and New Zealand in the Rugby Championship. Meyer hailed Matfield as one of the greatest players in the game and also for the value he brings with his leadership…..

Meyer was at pains to justify Olivier’s inclusion into the team even though the France-based centre joined the squad this week. Meyer said that Olivier can cover a multitude of positions in the backline and also brings with him the experience of having played in these positions at international level……….

Meyer remains wary of the danger Wales will pose to his team on June 21 but says his team’s sole focus is to improve on the way they played in the first Test with the Springboks chasing the perfect game for 80 minutes…Journalist: Vata Ngobeni