Breyton wants to bow out in style
Breyton Paulse gets the chance to help South Africa defend the Mandela Cup against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday, where he will be seeking one more try to make him the second-highest Springbok try-scorer of all time.
Paulse is set to play his first Test of the year, the 52nd of his career, in his familiar No 14 jersey, made available by Jean de Villiers's anticipated move to inside centre.
This is one of 10 changes that have been forecast for a radical new-look Springbok side that will be announced on Wednesday.
The occasion could also be one of the last Tests for 29-year-old Paulse, soon to be joining French club Clermont to play out the rest of his career in Europe.
Before the curtain does come down on one of the most remarkable legacies in Springbok history - the story of the Ceres-born-and-bred farm boy who rose from humble origins to leave a unique footprint on the South African rugby landscape - Paulse wants to bow out in style.
In 2004 he played a key role helping South Africa clinch the Tri-Nations trophy against Australia at King's Park. His tackle on Lote Tuqiri denied Australia a late try that would almost certainly have sent the cup Down Under.
Then on 2004's end-of-year tour Paulse played his 50th Test against Ireland at Lansdowne Road. He was denied a try that would have made him the highest points-scoring Springbok wing when Bakkies Botha failed to make a vital pass close to the Irish line.
One more try for the wing wizard on Saturday, though, will take his tally to 22. This would put Paulse ahead of former Western Province and Bok team-mate Pieter Rossouw, who played 43 Tests for South Africa on the left wing, but 16 short of the record 38 tries that former Bok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen scored in 89 Tests.
"Before I leave for France I would like to bow out on a high," Paulse said after returning from Australia last week to prepare for the deciding return match on Saturday that could be his Springbok swansong.
Other significant changes White is expected to make to his starting line-up include Andre Pretorius, who last played test rugby in 2003, coming in at flyhalf for Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Juan Smith on the blindside flank for Danie Rossouw and Solly Tyibilika on the open side for Schalk Burger, who will be rested.
White has persistently tried to implement a consistent selection policy in his endeavour to mature a strong core of players for the 2007 World Cup in France.
The latest changes, however, signal that White has reviewed this policy and is now prepared to cast his net beyond the chosen 30.
This was due to the realisation that he is going to have to build a bigger squad than was initially envisaged if the Boks hope to create the diversity vital to keep the opposition guessing over selection and tactics.
White now has the option of fielding a vastly different side a week after the Ellis Park test when South Africa and Australia play the opening Tri-Nations match at Loftus.
The objective is to confuse Wallaby coach Eddie Jones, but also to create healthy competition for Test places that will shake some regulars out of their comfort zones.
Van der Westhuyzen and captain John Smit both need to deliver commanding performances if they hope to convince a growing number of sceptics that they are the long-term solution at flyhalf and hooker respectively.
Outside centre Marius Joubert faces a similar challenge while De Villiers, who has made no secret of his desire to switch to the midfield, gets an opportunity to prove his magic number is 12, as opposed to 14.
New combinations in the front row, at loose forward, halfback and in the midfield suggest that White is looking beyond stop-gap selections for one-off victories.
The latest selection shuffles reveal that the Springbok coach is reviewing South Africa's strategy, with fresh faces bringing a new dimension to the short-term objectives of the Tri-Nations and the long-term goal of the World Cup.
Possible Springbok side:
Percy Montgomery; Breyton Paulse, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Andre Pretorius, Fourie du Preez; Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Solly Tyibilika, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, John Smit (capt), Gurthro Steenkamp. Bench: Hanyani Shimange, Eddie Andrews, Albert van den Berg, Schalk Burger, Enrico Januarie, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Wayne Julies.