Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has announced his Springbok squad for the 2013 June Internationals.
The surprise inclusions are Lourens Adriaanse, Trevor Nyakane and Bjorn Basson.
The surprise omissions are Raymond Rhule, Robert Ebersohn, Ryan Kankowski and Elton Jantjies.
Nine uncapped players, six of whom have not been part of the national set-up before, have been included in a 34-man Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Incoming Series involving Italy, Samoa and Scotland later this month.
The six newcomers are the GWK Griquas duo Lourens Adriaanse and Willie le Roux, Trevor Nyakane and Pieter “Lappies” Labuschagne of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, and two members of last year’s Junior World Championship-winning SA Under-20 squad, Jan Serfontein (Vodacom Blue Bulls) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (The Sharks).
The three other uncapped players in the squad are Siya Kolisi (DHL Western Province), Arno Botha and Jano Vermaak (both Vodacom Blue Bulls). Two players who only featured in one Test in 2012, Gio Aplon (DHL Western Province) and JJ Engelbrecht (Vodacom Blue Bulls), are recalled following very good performances this year.
DHL Western Province midfielder Jean de Villiers, the most experienced member of the squad with 84 Test caps retains the captaincy.
Players who were part of Springbok squads in 2012, but were not considered for selection due to injury, are JP Pietersen, Jaco Taute, Frans Steyn, Johan Goosen, Duane Vermeulen, Pat Cilliers and Frans Malherbe.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said the inclusion of the six newcomers was just reward for good performances in Vodacom Super Rugby this season. He also said he was happy to keep the core of the squad that did duty for South Africa in 2012.
“The Tests in June will be tough and we’ve been hit by a number of injuries, but I’m very happy with the squad we’ve selected,” said Meyer.
“It’s never easy selecting a squad such as this one, as there are always players who are unlucky to miss out, but there will always be an opportunity to reclaim your place, as Gio and JJ had shown this season.
“Despite not playing for one of the five big unions, Lourens and Willie have grabbed their opportunities when they got a chance to play Vodacom Super Rugby, while two of their team mates at the Toyota Cheetahs, Trevor and Lappies, have also done very well this year.
“It was also good to see Jan and Pieter-Steph make the step up from the junior levels. I’ve always rated them and they’ve shone this year for the Vodacom Bulls and The Sharks.
“To have 34 players available for this series will help a lot and I have a lot of appreciation to the leadership of SARU and the provincial CEOs for allowing us this number.”
The Springbok squad will assemble in Durban on Sunday. The first Test of the Castle Later Incoming Series is next Saturday at Growthpoint Kings Park against Italy.
Springbok Squad:
| Name | Province | Position | Test Caps |
| Lourens Adriaanse | GWK Griquas | Prop | 0 |
| Willem Alberts | The Sharks | Loose forward | 20 |
| Gio Aplon | DHL Western Province | Wing/Fullback | 18 |
| Bjorn Basson | Vodacom Blue Bulls | Wing | 6 |
| Arno Botha | Vodacom Blue Bulls | Loose forward | 0 |
| Marcell Coetzee | The Sharks | Loose forward | 12 |
| Juan de Jongh | DHL Western Province | Centre | 14 |
| Jean de Villiers (captain) | DHL Western Province | Centre | 84 |
| Bismarck du Plessis | The Sharks | Hooker | 46 |
| Jannie du Plessis | The Sharks | Prop | 42 |
| Pieter-Steph du Toit | The Sharks | Lock | 0 |
| JJ Engelbrecht | Vodacom Blue Bulls | Centre / Wing | 1 |
| Eben Etzebeth | DHL Western Province | Lock | 11 |
| Bryan Habana | DHL Western Province | Wing | 83 |
| Francois Hougaard | Vodacom Blue Bulls | Scrumhalf | 27 |
| Zane Kirchner | Vodacom Blue Bulls | Fullback | 24 |
| Siya Kolisi | DHL Western Province | Loose forward | 0 |
| Juandré Kruger | Vodacom Blue Bulls | Lock | 8 |
| Pieter Labuschagne | Toyota FS Cheetahs | Loose forward | 0 |
| Pat Lambie | The Sharks | Fullback | 20 |
| Willie le Roux | GWK Griquas | Fullback / Wing | 0 |
| Francois Louw | Bath, England | Loose forward | 17 |
| Tendai Mtawarira | The Sharks | Prop | 41 |
| Lwazi Mvovo | The Sharks | Wing | 7 |
| Trevor Nyakane | Toyota FS Cheetahs | Prop | 0 |
| Coenie Oosthuizen | Toyota FS Cheetahs | Prop | 2 |
| Ruan Pienaar | Ulster, N Ireland | Scrumhalf | 63 |
| Chiliboy Ralepelle | Vodacom Blue Bulls | Hooker | 21 |
| Jan Serfontein | Vodacom Blue Bulls | Centre | 0 |
| Pierre Spies | Vodacom Blue Bulls | No 8 | 50 |
| Morné Steyn | Vodacom Blue Bulls | Flyhalf | 42 |
| Adriaan Strauss | Toyota FS Cheetahs | Hooker | 21 |
| Flip van der Merwe | Vodacom Blue Bulls | Lock | 23 |
| Jano Vermaak | Vodacom Blue Bulls | Scrumhalf | 0 |
ja ek gaan ook nou maar slaap, dis HM se probleem om die span te kies, wie hy ookal kies behoort die Taljaners op te dons
30 @ ben-die-bul:
Sal more mooi daaroor dink….
8 spelers met 30 of minder wedstryde… lyk belowend!
33 @ JJ:
Welkom op Rugby-Talk JJ, mag jy ons lank hier join en elke dag saam met ons gesels.
Wanneer ons weer praat kan ons jou bietjie vra wie jy ondersteun en so aan… maar nou gaan hierdie moeë webmonster eers op my rug sit en snorkgeluide maak!
“I am William Wallace. And I see before me a whole army of my countrymen,
here in defiance of the Springboks! You have come to fight as free men. And
free men you are! What will you do with that freedom? Will you fight?”
“15 against 15?” – the veteran shouted. “No! We will
run – and we will live!”
“Yes!” Wallace shouted back. “Fight and you may die. Run and you
will live at least awhile. And dying in your bed many years from now,
would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for
one chance, just one chance to tell the Springboks that they may take all the ball and most of the territory but if it’s a horrible, wet, windy day……we could sneak it 9-6!”….ALBA GU BRÀTH!
35 @ williamwallace:
Hello, good one williamwallace, my loyalties are divided so Im hoping for a good series by the Springboks, with a view to getting ready for the Rugby Championship, and Scotland. Hopefully we will see you here more during the next while to chat about the rugby.
Loosies are all too similar for my liking. But they would have to be in order to cover for the shortcomings of Spies.
No space for Ebersohn? Sjoe!
Kirchner, Pienaar and Hougaard? Really?
The rest I am pretty happy with!
Go Boks!
Hello Bullscot…..I have a green ID book, but a tartan heart!! There is no doubt the Boks on paper could easily put out at least three teams and beat the strongest Scottish team at a canter. Like all great sides…and the Boks are one of them…each side has a blind spot and it’s not in their ability and skill, it’s in the mind
Who would have thought a very average (at best)Scottish side would beat the Aussies in Australia?
Of course all money is on the Boks to wipe the Scots, Italians and Samoans out without breaking sweat. All my Bokke workmates (understandably) believe it’s a foregone conclusion….in fact I’ve planned a sickie after the Scotland game!!…don’t think I could stand going to work whatever the result…:) Rugby is littered with shock results. My tartan heart beats for one!!!! ALBA GU BRÀTH!
Any Italians or Samoans out there?
38 @ williamwallace:
Welcome to Rugby-Talk, Clansman!
Hope we see a lot of you here.
OK, so we know you are a skirt-wearing Scott… who do you support amongst the SA Super Rugby franchises?
Moere groutblousmile
A Stormer through residency, A Southern King for what they are doing for South African Rugby. More power to the Kings. Forget the emotions around the Watson factor, forget the overt or covert politics…white, black or whatever colour of the rainbow. This is a true South African success story for rugby in the Eastern Cape and of huge magnitude and deserves the support of every South African.
Averaging 25,000 a game? Good on yas…Hope the Kings are here to stay
40 @ williamwallace:
OK, a Southern Kings man… You will definately have the support of SuperBul, who will be so proud of what you just wrote.
The MTN Golden Lions did not look too shabby themselves yesterday, beating Samoa by 74 / 14. The Promotion / Relegation games will be interesting indeed.
I guess you’re a Boule? Lions do look good, but the Kings/Lions promotion relegation issue should never have been allowed to degenerate into this fiasco pitting South Africans against South Africans. The incompetence….(or maybe even the malevolence) of some in SARU has a lot to answer for
42 @ williamwallace:
Yip, a staunch Bulls supporter and Springbok supporter.
I’m the webmaster here and run this joint for everybody to enjoy. We are known as “The Friendly Website”, due to our tollerance and mutual respect for each other here, whilst each having our opinion.
I agree that SARU’s incompetence is sometimes stranger than fiction to swallow. They really mucked this thing up.
The advantage the Southern Kings have over the MTN Lions is the bums on seats support this year… it’s been very good from the Eastern Cape, however the Lions are a team steeped in rich history and it would be a travesty to see them fall by the wayside due to SARU’s incompetence.
Here’s my Bokke XV from the pool for what it’s worth
15 – Aplon…the most underated and exciting player in South Africa. Has the x factor and everyone draws a sharp intake of breath every time he gets the ball. Always punches above his weight. Kirschner is all ‘huff and puff’ has a limited degree of creativity and offers nothing above Aplon in terms of tackling, distribution, positioning and running apart from about 4 centimetres in height
14 – Le Roux – currently the most exciting runner in South African rugby
13 – De Villiers – nothing extra need be said about this superb accomplished centre arguably the best in this position in the world – Captain Fantastic indeed
12 – Serfontein – lovely runner and athlete. I love De Jongh, but let’s see what Serfontein can do with de Villers’ experienced hand beside him
14 – Habana – despite being suspect under the high ball, his work rate effort and ability to unlock defences is second to none
10 – Lambie – beautiful balanced runner and committed tackler. Unlocks defences with his great timing and vision….can we please see beyond Morne Steyn…yea, he’s had a good season, but what a bore!! Has he ever made an inside or outside break and unlocked a defence…ever? Don’t think so.
9 – Ruaan Pienaar – now has the experience and hardened edge to his outstanding natural ability
8 – Pierre Spies – still believe because of his outstanding natural ability and athleticism he underachieves at the highest level but worth his place
7 – Labuschgne – THE outstanding newcomer in South Africa. Wonderful runner and tackler and incredible workrate. Needs some rough edges workde off obviously as he is still new, but where else to gain experience at international level than give him experience at international level??!!
5 – Peter Steph – du Toit – South Africa seem to have a conveyer belt of talented, big athletic youngsters..he’s the latest. For one so young has had an outsdtanding Super XV debut seasonb
4 – Etzebeth – continues to grow (bet his mum wishes he would stop growing!!) in stature and ability…wouldn’t like to meet him on a dark night…of in a ruck for that matter!
3/2/1 – Nyakane/Strauss/Oosthuizen – Look at the history of successful international teams and the core is a settled, united front row. These guys have been outstanding as a unit this season and deserve to show what they can do at this level, Strauss has had an outstanding season and
6 – Kolisi – outstanding ball carrier and tackler and worth his chance
Thanks for introducing yourself grootblou.
I’m passionate about my rugby and because I’m a Scot and relatively new in South Africa, I probably see things through different eyes. Blown away by the depth and passion of rugby here in SA…seems to be part of the DNA of the nation!! I’m old enough to remember the ‘bad ol days’ when the Boks couldn’t play internationals. The whole of the rugby world knew that Springbok rugby was the benchmark and until the Boks took their rightful place at rugby’s top table, the rugby world would always be incomplete. How right that has been proven!!
45 @ williamwallace:
Rugby is a religion in South Africa and yes, it’s embedded in our DNA.
Yet we still miss some vital things in our rugby structures (meaning SARU and their bunch of clowns), because if our structures were not hampered by their incompetence South Africa could be the TOP rugby nation year in and year out.
One just feels that there is more, much more, to be unlocked in SA.
Luckily the support amongst the previously non-rugby circles and cultures is rapidly increasing, so it bodes well for the future.
I played Club Rugby in the ‘bad ol days’ when Currie Cup was our own internal brand of “International Rugby” and when Club Rugby was bloody huge. I’d like to see a rise in Club Rugby again and a more workman-like tranference between Schools and Senior levels… we lose a lot of quality players through the cracks due to the fact that the gap between Schools Rugby and Senior Rugby is not overcome better.
I’d like to see a lot more money pumped into development and broadening the player base here in SA.
Am I still hungover or did someone above just say that Dean Greyling is unlucky to not get a Bok call up??
Please tell me I am…
Congrats to all those selected. Some of you will not get to play, and that’s the way it goes but a just reward for a good season for many of them.
I have been talking about Adriaanse all week. Glad to see Heyneke reading Rugby-Talk.
Please play him in front of Jannie. Pretty please. I’ll even let you pick Ruan at 9 if you do.
British and Irish Lions team to face Western Force on Wednesday:
Leigh Halfpenny, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll (captain), Manu Tuilagi, George North, Jonny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Dan Cole, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Tom Croft, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Matt Stevens, Geoff Parling, Toby Faletau, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Sean Maitland.
48 @ Bullscot:
Strong side!
Now we’ll see how the bottom Super Rugby sides would fare against International best sides.
The Force should have much more fluidity and rhythm, having played together all season, whereas the B & I Lions would still have to find combinations. The Force won’t be a throw-together side like the Baa-Baas were on the weekend, but then again I think this is a stronger B & I Lions side.
49 @ grootblousmile:
Hello GBS, yes it looks strong but at a quick glance, apart from a few players here and there, think that Saturdays team was a better one overall. Gatland has promised each player that they will get a start at some point in the 1st 3 games, so probably only after that we will get an idea of the strongest team he wants to pick. Force should provide more of a challenge as you say from the point of them having played together all season but from Saturday the Lions showed some their quality in the end in spite of horrible humid conditions which made handling difficult. It may take the players time to get used to each other so probably a sloppy first half where the Force would want to try and get as many points as possible, by late 1st half and into 2nd half before a lot of subs come on should be the best passage of play for the Lions. This team seems to have a lot more of the Irish players in – who I normally would rate but we saw how poorly Ireland fared last 6 nations, I guess they will have better quality players around them and the BIG difference a far superior coaching set up, really rate Warren Gatland.
HM will want to play all players in the 3 upcoming matches so trying to pick the “strongest” side doesn’t mean much
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