Not surprised about the guys dropped from the 'A' side'. I think they wanted to test April but had thought that he'd fare better than he did. Its a bit of a much over muchness who plays at 10 since they would all be behind Pollard, Lambie, Jantjies, Steyn and Goosen so I guess they put more value in a win than development of depth at 10. On Notshe I can only think they want to play a tighter game or just play better to teh ruck? Carr dropping to the bench also is a move in that direction. Can't think that Notshe would get promoted, surely not at the expense of Jaco Kriel? Ntubeni shouldn't have been there in the first place as Mbonambi shouldn't have been on the Bok bench and we all know that. A hooker's first duty is at the set piece.
I wouldn't read too much into that though. AC has been vocal this week in that he won't make wholesale changes for the 2nd test. My guess is that if there are going to be changes, then it would be:
3. Julian Redelinghuys in place of Frans Malherbe
5. PSDT in place of Lood De Jager
7. Jaco Kriel in place of Francois Louw or Siya Kolisi
14. Ruan Combrinck in place of JP Pietersen
I doubt that there would be other changes, maybe Warren Whiteley and Duane Vermeulen swap as well. I just think that AC is going to pick a few more Lions players because it's on their home field and the way in which he singled out the Lions team and coaches ahead of this series. It's clear that he has a lot of admiration for them and will promote the guys selected.
Remember that when HM took over he had about 12 debutants in the first year in charge, with the idea of getting the team ready for the World Cup. Maybe AC will do the same, and he knows the benefit of that while being assistant coach under Jake White's reign.
I think the fringe players that has been left out of the "A" team, has been probably given the chance to join the Bok camp to get more acquinted with the Springbok culture.