South Africa coach Jake White has named an unchanged side for Saturday’s Tri-Nations clash with Australia in Perth.
It is the first time White has selected the same starting line-up during his two-year tenure, and the Springbok boss is happy his squad is beginning to settle ahead of the 2007 World Cup.
"It shows the strength of our squad system and the strength in depth we have," White told the official website of SA Rugby.
"That’s the nice thing. When you are preparing a team that’s going to take you to the World Cup and when you have nine players that played in an Under-21 World Cup final three years ago that is a huge bonus.
"It was an easy selection from the point of view that everyone was fit. It’s unlike previous times when we have had to get players into the mix after injury or find another player because of an injury.
"It gives us confidence as a squad that we can have the same starting team running out again this week. The more they play together the better they are going to become."
The Springboks are the only unbeaten side left in the competition having defeated both Australia and New Zealand at home.
South Africa team: P Montgomery; B Paulse, J Fourie, J de Villiers, B Habana; A Pretorius, R Januarie; O Du Randt, J Smit, CJ van der Linde, B Botha, V Matfield, S Burger, J Smith, J van Niekerk.
Replacements: H Shimange, G Steenkamp, A van den Berg, J Cronje, F du Preez, W Julies, J van der Westhuyzen.
