South Africa have included flanker Heinrich Brussow in a strong team to play Premiership champions Leicester at Welford Road on Friday in the opening game of the Springboks' European tour. Skip related content
Brussow was one of the world champions' outstanding players when they beat the British and Irish Lions and then won the Tri-Nations this year.
Centre Wynand Olivier, flyhalf Ruan Pienaar, locks Andries Bekker and Danie Rossouw, captain and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle and prop Gurthro Steenkamp are also likely to feature in the test squad.
"This is a full-on Springbok side and we chose the best combinations to ensure we keep the momentum going from a very successful season," coach Peter de Villiers told a news conference in Johannesburg on Monday.
"We don't want to just struggle along and play all the new guys together."
Loose forwards Dewald Potgieter and Ashley Johnson, scrumhalf Heini Adams and centre Juan de Jongh are all new members of the Springbok squad.
The team to play Leicester leaves Johannesburg on Tuesday, while the rest of the squad will fly to France next Tuesday for their opening test in Toulouse on November 17.
Further tests follow against Italy on November 21 and Ireland in Croke Park on November 28.
Team to face Leicester: 15-Earl Rose, 14-Odwa Ndungane, 13-Juan de Jongh, 12-Wynand Olivier, 11-Jongi Nokwe, 10-Ruan Pienaar, 9-Heini Adams; 8-Ashley Johnson, 7-Dewald Potgieter, 6-Heinrich Brussow, 5-Andries Bekker, 4-Danie Rossouw, 3-Jannie du Plessis, 2-Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1-Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: 16-Bandise Maku, 17-Heinke van der Merwe, 18-Alistair Hargreaves, 19-Davon Raubenheimer, 20-Francois Hougaard, 21-Meyer Bosman, 22-Riaan Viljoen.
(Editing by Sonia Oxley)
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