JOHANNESBURG (AFP) ? South Africa skipper John Smit does not accept he is leading a 'B' team to Tri-Nations slaughter in Australia and New Zealand this month.
Injuries have ruled 21 mostly first-choice Springboks out of the away leg of the annual southern hemipshere championship, which offers precious practice ahead of the World Cup in New Zealand during September and October.
The absence of many big South African 'names' like wing Bryan Habana, scrum-half Fourie du Preez, locks Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield and flankers Schalk Burger and Juan Smith has angered Wallaby and All Blacks officials.
Concerns include one-sided Tests and lower attendances as Smit and fly-half Morne Steyn are the only tourists considered likely starters when South Africa launch their World Cup defence against Wales.
"If we are a 'B' team it is because 'B' stands for Boks and nothing else," Smit told reporters at a Johannesburg high school Friday after a 28-man squad wrapped up the home leg of preparations.
"We are going over there to play rugby and not just to make up the numbers. Injuries also ruled out a lot of players four seasons ago and we acquitted ourselves with distinction before going on to win the World Cup."
Smit, who moves to English club Saracens after the world showpiece, rejected 'conspiracy theories' in the South African and international media concerning a spate of post-Super 15 injuries.
"The injuries have complicated matters, but they are part and parcel of what we do and I do not think the 'big man' intended us to charge into each other at 60 kilometres per hour," he explained.
Coach Peter de Villiers was also not buying into a Boks-to-the-slaughter line ahead of Tests against the Wallabies on July 23 in Sydney and defending Tri-Nations champions the All Blacks in Wellington seven days later.
"I want to win both Tests -- for me it is all about winning and nothing else. If the guys can raise their hands for inclusion in the World Cup squad it will be a win-win situation.
"The current make-up of the squad does not make selecting a starting line-up any easier," stressed a coach who suffered five losses in six Tri-Nations games last season and triggered calls for his dismissal.
A backline debate will be where to deploy rising Coastal Sharks star Patrick Lambie given his preferred fly-half position is set to be occupied by ace goal kicker and far more experienced Steyn.
The options are to pair Lambie with Juan de Jongh at centre, or choose him at fullback. Gio Aplon (fullback or right wing) and Ruan Pienaar (scrum-half) appear sure of Sydney starting places whichever route De Villiers takes.
Late inclusion CJ van der Linde could start at tighthead to prevent Smit scrumming between two uncapped props while the versatility of Danie Rossouw means he can be utilised at lock or number eight.
De Villiers also desperately wants to see loose forward 'scavenger' Heinrich Brussow back in the green and gold after an 18-month injuries absence from the Test scene, but there remains a slight doubt over his fitness.
Meanwhile, the Springboks had to delay their departure when their plane suffered an engine failure Friday and was forced to return to Johannesburg around two hours into the flight.
Possible team (15-1)
Patrick Lambie; Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Wynand Olivier, Lwazi Mvovo; Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Danie Rossouw, Ashley Johnson, Heinrich Brussow; Johann Muller, Flip van der Merwe; CJ van der Linde, John Smit (capt), Coenie Oosthuizen
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