SpringboksThe selection of 8 uncapped players and the return of a further 6 are the features of the Springbok squad named on Saturday for the 5 matches leading up to the Rugby World Cup later this season.

In addition to the 36 squad members, the national selectors have identified 13 players who are currently injured or will be in rehabilitation, but will form part of an extended squad for the matches against the World XV, Castle Lager Rugby Championship and the Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

The uncapped players in the squad are Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Rudy Paige, Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel, Franco Mostert and Lionel Mapoe.

Back in the Springbok fold after not featuring in any Springbok Tests last year, are Elton Jantjies, Frans Steyn, Jaque Fourie, Heinrich Brüssow, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Heinke van der Merwe.

The currently injured players included in the squad are Springbok captain Jean de Villiers, Lionel Mapoe, Heinrich Brüssow, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Frans Steyn, Coenie Oosthuizen, Lood de Jager, Duane Vermeulen, Cobus Reinach, Pat Lambie, Jaque Fourie, Jan Serfontein and Fourie du Preez. The latter suffered a knee injury while training with his Japanese club earlier this week.

“It’s a long list of injured players but all of them are in the selection frame and we’d like to work with them to assist with their rehabilitation,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.

“Some of them are close to full fitness and they will start training as soon as possible. We’ll assess and manage all the injured players individually with their return to play in mind and will do what is the best for the player and the team, even if it means that some of them play for their clubs or provinces if deemed necessary by our medical team and in consultation with their unions.

“Coenie Oosthuizen has been selected, but he has a neck injury which will rule him out of joining the squad immediately. We will wait for medical clarity to ensure we do what is best for Coenie before a decision is made on the way forward.

“Even though Jaque Fourie announced that he had retired from Test rugby late last year, we have had positive talks with him and his club, Kobe in Japan, and an agreement was reached that he will be available for 1 last season of Test rugby. As soon as he’s back to full fitness, we’ll consider him for selection.

“Jean de Villiers’ rehabilitation is going very well but his return to play will be strictly monitored before an announcement in this regard is made.”

Scarra Ntubeni (hooker), Rudy Paige (scrumhalf) and Lionel Mapoe (outside back) have been part of Springbok tour squads before, but this will be the 1st involvement at international level for Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Franco Mostert (lock), Steven Kitshoff and Vincent Koch (both props).

Meyer added that Vodacom Super Rugby form weighed heavily and as always there were a number of players who were desperately close to selection, but just missed out in the end.

“This is testament to the great depth we’ve managed to build in most positions over the last few years. It’s good to know we have players outside this squad who will be able to slot in should it be necessary,” said the Springbok coach.

“Scarra has been with us before and he has done a great job specifically in the scrums with Vincent, Steven and Frans Malherbe for the DHL Stormers this year.

“Lionel, Franco, Faf and Elton have been part of the ever-improving Emirates Lions, while Rudy and Jesse grabbed their opportunities for the Vodacom Bulls this season.

Meyer added that he was pleased to have Heinke van der Merwe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Heinrich Brüssow, Frans Steyn and Jaque Fourie back with the Springboks.

“They are players with international experience and we know what they can do. It will be great to welcome them back into the Springbok fold and I know they will add value,” said the Springbok coach.

“It was great to see players such as Morné, Heinke, Bryan, Schalk Brits and Francois play in and win finals with their clubs in Europe.”

“We also talked to Andries Bekker as we wanted to consider him for selection, but upon a request from his club in Japan he was ultimately not picked for the squad at this stage. Hopefully he will be available at a later stage during the season.

“Flip van der Merwe was on our radar but ultimately he has decided to rule himself out of Springbok contention.”

Meyer said that he didn’t want to go into the 2015 Test season without exploring all options available to the Springboks.

“We will be guided by our medical team and specialists to ensure no stone is left unturned as we manage the injured players’ return to play. The players who have been included in the squad because of injuries to others must use this opportunity to break down the door to ensure they remain part of the squad as we look forward to the World Cup.

“As certain players regain fitness, others will be sent back to their provinces, but that doesn’t mean they are out of our thinking completely as the door to World Cup selection will never be fully closed. We talked to every player we thought could add value and considered every option available to us.

“The next 5 matches, before we finalise the squad for the Rugby World Cup, will be very important as we want to ensure the right 31 players are on the plane to England on 11 September.

“We have done a lot of planning and research and are well-prepared for the season. We’ll use the matches against the World XV, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina to fine tune where necessary, but the next 2 months also provide the players with an opportunity to put themselves in contention to make the World Cup squad.”

 

The Springbok squad is (in alphabetical order):

  • Willem Alberts (Cell C Sharks), Loose forward, 32 Test caps
  • Schalk Brits (Saracens, England), Hooker, 7 caps
  • Schalk Burger (DHL Stormers / Suntory, Japan), Loose forward, 75 caps
  • Marcell Coetzee (Cell C Sharks), Loose forward, 26 caps
  • Damian de Allende (DHL Stormers), Centre, 3 caps
  • Faf de Klerk (Emirates Lions / Steval Pumas), Scrumhalf, 0 caps
  • Bismarck du Plessis (Cell C Sharks), Hooker, 70 caps
  • Jannie du Plessis (Cell C Sharks), Prop, 62 caps
  • Eben Etzebeth (DHL Stormers), Lock, 33 caps
  • Elton Jantjies (Emirates Lions), Flyhalf, 2 caps
  • Bryan Habana (Toulon, France), Wing, 106 caps
  • Cornal Hendricks (Toyota Cheetahs), Wing, 11 caps
  • Zane Kirchner (Leinster, Ireland), Wing / Fullback, 29 caps
  • Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Prop, 0 caps
  • Vincent Koch (DHL Stormers / Steval Pumas), Prop, 0 caps
  • Siya Kolisi (DHL Stormers), Loose forward, 10 caps
  • Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Bulls), Fullback, 0 caps
  • Willie le Roux (Toyota Cheetahs), Fullback / Wing, 25 caps
  • Francois Louw (Bath, England), Loose forward, 34 caps
  • Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Prop, 4 caps
  • Victor Matfield (Vodacom Bulls), Lock, 121 caps
  • Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje (Toyota Cheetahs), Loose forward, 7 caps
  • Franco Mostert (Emirates Lions), Lock, 0 caps
  • Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), Prop, 64 caps
  • Lwazi Mvovo (Cell C Sharks), Wing, 10 caps
  • Scarra Ntubeni (DHL Stormers), Hooker, 0 caps
  • Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls), Prop, 13 caps
  • Rudy Paige (Vodacom Bulls), Scrumhalf, 0 caps
  • Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, N Ireland), Scrumhalf, 80 caps
  • JP Pietersen (Cell C Sharks), Centre / Wing, 59 caps
  • Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Flyhalf, 9 caps
  • Morné Steyn (Stade Francais, France), Flyhalf, 59 caps
  • Adriaan Strauss (Vodacom Bulls), Hooker, 44 caps
  • Heinke van der Merwe (Stade Francais, France), Prop, 4 caps
  • Marcel van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls), Prop, 4 caps
  • Warren Whiteley (Emirates Lions), Loose forward, 2 caps

 

Injured / Conditioning squad:
  • Heinrich Brüssow (Toyota Cheetahs / Docomo, Japan), Loose forward, 20 caps
  • Lood de Jager (Toyota Cheetahs), Lock, 9 caps
  • Jean de Villiers (DHL Stormers), Centre, 106 caps
  • Fourie du Preez (Suntory, Japan), Scrumhalf, 70 caps
  • Pieter-Steph du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Lock, 2 caps
  • Jaque Fourie (Kobe, Japan), Centre, 72 caps
  • Patrick Lambie (Cell C Sharks), Flyhalf / Fullback, 40 caps
  • Lionel Mapoe (Emirates Lions), Centre, 0 caps
  • Coenie Oosthuizen (Toyota Cheetahs), Prop, 21 caps
  • Cobus Reinach (Cell C Sharks), Scrumhalf, 6 caps
  • Jan Serfontein (Vodacom Bulls), Centre, 20 caps
  • Frans Steyn (Cell C Sharks), Centre, 53 caps
  • Duane Vermeulen (DHL Stormers), No 8, 29 caps

 

282 Responses to Springboks: 8 Rookies PLUS 13 Injured players in extended squad

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  • 271

    269 @ Tassies:
    Yeah, I did not even want to bring up Eddie van der Jones…

    … and you are also right, maybe a younger Jake had a little risk-taker in him… all to be replaced later by his mercenary side…

  • 272

    270 @ Tassies:
    That’s why I call them “School Fees”!

    One can make mistakes, as long as they are honest mistakes… and as long as you do not repeat the same mistakes, because then I think you have to start doubting your intelligence.

  • 273

    @ Tassies:
    Yep with risk takers some work and some wont, I remember Eddies team losing by nearly 100 points once in super rugby… take enough risks some are bound to pay off though.

  • 274

    I prefer the words “Decision Maker” over the words “Risk Taker”

    True leaders are prepared to make decisions…

  • 275

    okay all you hooligans, I’m off to my pit to read a dictionary. Tough day. But we made it. More is n nogge dag.
    Nag se

  • 276

    @ MacroPolo: take note of GB’s wise words MP. You cannot always wrap yourself up in cotton-wool. Gudnite. Chat another time. Always enjoy bud.

  • 277

    275 & 276 @ Tassies:
    Have a good one Tasse!

    Always fun to have you on board!

  • 278

    grootblousmile wrote:

    205 @ MacroPolo:
    I’d rather put down a Springbok 15 I would pick as starters, than purely a form team.
    Whilst rewarding good current season form, I also believe you cannot go to a World Cup with too many absolute rookies… so I would build some experience into the side as well.
    Here’s my Springbok 23, if I had to pick them right now:
    Team:
    1. Steven Kitshoff (Loosehead – form, form, form)
    2. Bismarck du Plessis (Hooker – experience & form)
    3. Frans Malherbe (Tighthead – form, form, form)
    4. Eben Etzebeth (No 4 Lock – grunt & potential.. & experience)
    5. Victor Matfield (No 5 Lock – lineouts & experience)
    6. Francois Louw (Openside flank – experience, form, class)
    7. Jaco Kriel (Blindside flank – form, form, form – he is equally adept at openside and blindside flank)
    8. Duane Vermeulen (No 8 – Captain – form, class, grunt, experience) and if he is injured Warren Whiteley (No 8 – Captain – form, passion, ability)
    9. Faf de Klerk (Scrumhalf – form, form, form)
    10. Elton Jantjies (Flyhalf – Form and to an extent experience)
    11. Bryan Habana (Left Wing – experience)
    12. Damian de Allende (Inside Centre – form, form, form)
    13. Lionel Mapoe (Outside Centre – form and to an extent experience)
    14. Francois Hougaard (Right Wing – experience and in case the Faf experiment fails)
    15. Willie le Roux (Fullback – X-Factor, experience)
    Replacements:
    16. Adriaan Strauss (Hooker – Experience)
    17. Beast Mtawarira or Heinke van der Merwe (Loosehead – experience)
    18. Vincent Koch (Tighthead – form, form, form)
    19. Franco Mostert (Either Lock – form, form, form)
    20. Warren Whiteley (Loose Forward – form, versatility, sheer balls), if he was in the starting lineup, then Schalk Burger (Loose Forward – experience)
    21: Cobus Reinach (Scrumhalf – ability, X-Factor)
    22. Pat Lambie (Flyhalf / Fullback / Utility – experience and versatility)
    23. Jesse Kriel (Fullback / Wing / Utility – X-Factor, versatility, speed)
    Something like that, I suppose…

    on form….
    Heinke van der Merwe deserve a chance
    since two years
    believe me
    and if not me
    Believe Carl Hayman and all other N°3 in the French championship
    in no way his selection will serve my club (Stade Français Paris)
    but HVdM deserves a try
    good scrumaging, active tackler, excellent spirit, good handling, good support in the touchline
    and … He … won something this year

  • 280

    oups
    SF 1/4 final against racing metro of another VdM and Kruger
    http://www.tubechop.com/watch/6316670

  • 281

    Tassies wrote:

    @ MacroPolo: take note of GB’s wise words MP. You cannot always wrap yourself up in cotton-wool. Gudnite. Chat another time. Always enjoy bud.

    There is definitely room for experimentation… But throwing 8 new caps out there as well as 4 or 5 additional newbies?

  • 282

    Alberts Officially a stade Francais player
    since yesterday
    for 3 years

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