Seven uncapped players, Damian de Allende, Lood de Jager, Cornal Hendricks, Teboho Mohoje, S’bura Sithole, Marcel van der Merwe and Callie Visagie, have been called up to Springbok duty as part of a 36-man squad for the Castle Lager Incoming Series next month.
The squad also includes experienced World Cup winners Schalk Burger and Victor Matfield, while there is a return to the Springboks for Schalk Brits, Juan de Jongh, Francois Hougaard, Lwazi Mvovo and Frans Steyn, all of whom last played Test rugby in 2012.
The national selectors have also kept a great deal of continuity. In total, 12 players who started the final Test of 2013, where the Springboks beat France in Paris for the first time in 16 years, have been retained in the squad.
However, notable omissions include Springbok captain and SARU’s Player of the Year in 2013, Jean de Villiers, who is out with a knee injury, and the Young Player of the Year for the last two seasons and IRB Player of the Year nominee last year, Eben Etzebeth, who has been given more time to fully recover from the foot injury which has kept him sidelined this entire season.
The Springboks will also be without one of their vice-captains, Adriaan Strauss, who has been suspended for three matches as well as the experienced Jaque Fourie, who started all three Tests last November but has been ruled out with an ankle injury and Pat Lambie, a regular member of the squad for the last two years.
“It’s never easy starting the international season without a number of key players, but it’s the same for our opponents as well and there are no excuses – we simply have to hit the ground running this week and make sure we start the season as well as possible,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, who will name the interim captain next week.
“Injuries also provide opportunities for new players and from what I’ve seen at the training camp in Durban earlier this week, they are also raring to go.”
“Oupa Mohoje got an opportunity at the Cheetahs following injuries to Lappies Labuschagne, Philip van der Walt and Jean Cook, and he took his chance. At the Sharks, Stephan Lewies came in for the injured Pieter-Steph du Toit and he came very close to inclusion in this squad.”
“It was also wonderful to see the excitement in the more experienced players, who have tasted what Test rugby is about. Everyone knows we’re at the start of a challenging season but everyone is raring to get going.”
Meyer said that all of the uncapped players deserved their opportunity.
“Damian, Cornal, Oupa, S’bura, Marcel and Callie have all been in great form recently for their various Vodacom Super Rugby franchises, while Lood was very impressive before his injury and he underlined that with a great attitude and work ethic at the Durban camp,” said Meyer.
“Some of them have been on the national selectors’ radar for a bit longer, while others have been very impressive at our training camp in Durban. They all deserve their selection and now it’s up to them to make the most of it.”
“Damian and S’bura both bring utility value to the team, as they can play in more than one position in the backline.”
“Cornal, who was the SA Sevens Player of the Year in 2013, is very fast and has a couple of very special attributes, so we’re very excited to work with him and hopefully improve him as a player.”
“Upfront, we’ve been very impressed with Lood and Oupa recently. Lood is a no-nonsense lock who will learn a lot from Victor and Bakkies, while Oupa is a superb line-out option, very fast and good with the ball in hand.”
“Marcel and Callie have been part of a resurgent Bulls pack recently and their play in the set-pieces is very good. Marcel can play on both sides of the scrum, which makes him a valuable option in the squad, while he also carries the ball well and has shown he can steal ball at the breakdown. Callie brings superb line-out throwing and great scrumming power, while he is never shy to do the dirty work on the field.”
Meyer added that he is looking forward to welcoming Matfield and Burger back into the Bok fold.
“Last year we saw what it meant to Bakkies, Fourie and Jaque when they returned and they showed that age should not be any measure when it comes to Test rugby – if you have the goods and can perform at world-class level, you deserve to be selected,” said Meyer.
“Victor and Schalk have both been out of the game for some time and for different reasons. A year ago, Schalk’s playing future was in doubt, so it’s great to have him back in the Bok fold and I’m looking forward to working with him for the first time. Their excitement at the Durban camp was palpable, but also contagious. The younger players fed off that and I know they will add a lot of value to the squad.”
On the inclusion of Brits he said: “Schalk was part of our plans from the beginning. He is one of the best hookers in the world, is one of the nominees for Heineken Cup Player of the Year and brings heaps of experience with him.”
Strauss, who has been suspended for three weeks for an illegal tackle last weekend, will rejoin in the squad for the final week of the Castle Lager Incoming Series, when his suspension has ended.
Injured players who were not available for selection after featuring in 2013, are De Villiers, Etzebeth, Lambie (bicep), Fourie (ankle), Frans Malherbe (concussion), Scarra Ntubeni (foot), Chiliboy Ralepelle (knee), Frik Kirsten (neck), Pieter-Steph du Toit (knee), Franco van der Merwe (ankle), Arno Botha (knee), Pierre Spies (bicep), Louis Schreuder (hand) and Gio Aplon (elbow).
Juan Smith was also in the selection frame, but as he has been struggling with an injury in recent weeks, he requested the national selectors not to be considered.
The Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Incoming Series 2014:
- Willem Alberts (Cell C Sharks), Loose forward – 30 Test caps
- Bakkies Botha (Toulon, France), Lock – 78
- Schalk Brits (Saracens, England), Hooker – 5
- Schalk Burger (DHL Western Province), Loose forward – 68
- Marcell Coetzee (Cell C Sharks), Loose forward – 15
- Damian De Allende (DHL Western Province), Centre / Wing – 0
- Lodewyk de Jager (Toyota FS Cheetahs), Lock – 0
- Juan de Jongh (DHL Western Province), Centre – 14
- Bismarck du Plessis (Cell C Sharks), Hooker – 57
- Jannie du Plessis (Cell C Sharks), Prop – 51
- Fourie du Preez (Suntory, Japan), Scrumhalf – 67
- JJ Engelbrecht (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Centre / Wing – 12
- Johan Goosen (Toyota FS Cheetahs), Flyhalf – 4
- Bryan Habana (Toulon, France), Wing – 95
- Cornal Hendricks (Toyota FS Cheetahs), Wing – 0
- Francois Hougaard (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Scrumhalf – 27
- Zane Kirchner (Leinster, Ireland), Fullback – 28
- Siya Kolisi (DHL Western Province), Loose forward – 10
- Willie le Roux (Toyota FS Cheetahs), Fullback / Wing – 12
- Francois Louw (Bath, England), Loose forward – 28
- Victor Matfield (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Lock – 110
- Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje (Toyota FS Cheetahs), Loose forward – 0
- Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), Prop – 53
- Lwazi Mvovo (Cell C Sharks), Wing – 7
- Coenie Oosthuizen (Toyota FS Cheetahs), Prop – 14
- Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, N Ireland), Scrumhalf – 74
- JP Pietersen (Cell C Sharks), Wing – 51
- Jan Serfontein (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Centre – 9
- S’bura Sithole (Cell C Sharks), Wing / Centre – 0
- Gurthrö Steenkamp (Toulouse, France), Prop – 49
- Frans Steyn (Cell C Sharks), Utility back – 53
- Morné Steyn (Stade Francais, France), Flyhalf – 54
- Flip van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Lock – 34
- Marcel van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Prop – 0
- Duane Vermeulen (DHL Western Province), No 8 – 16
- Callie Visagie (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Hooker – 0
Well done Johnnie
Fantastic end to a fantastic career.
Lucky for us he isn’t playing for Mallet next week
@ Ben:
Danie het die Japnese liga ook gewen
@ Ben:
Altwee binnesenters wat teen die eerste verdediger wil vashardloop. Jy sal jou TV in sy moer goi as hulle langs mekaar speel.
Nee dankie.
59: ons gesels weer oor ‘n paar jaar ….
60: stem ongelukkig saam, goed gewees op sy tyd, maar showpony geword die laaste paar jaar, wat het julle met hom aangevang daar in die kaap ? 😉
63: wie anders ?
De Jongh is op die stadium die beste aanvallende senter, en hy het geleer om te pass.
As hy weet hy is 1ste keuse sal hy meer gereeld uitgee want dan hoef hy homself nie die heeltyd te probeer bewys nie
62: wonder hoekom hy nie gespeel het nie ?
ek dink toulon gaan vanaand so suip bakkies hulle gaan eers donderdag by die bokke aansluit.
sowel as die res van mallet se ouens
@ nortierd:
I second that, although I still think that Carter pips him as the best FH in the proffesional era.
@ Ben:
Ek dink nie hy is heeltemal okay nie, hy sou bereid wees om te lyf op die spel te sit indien nodig, maar die man se gesondheid is nie te lekker nie.
Wel, een voordeel van die toetsreeks in Junie is dat ons nie meer op ons eie spanne hoef te skree nie maar op die bokke kan skree.
Dink veral AC en Ludeke sal die break geniet.
HM se beurt !
Hoe lyk die wereldspan ? Wie gaan Mallet kies ?
Nouja manne en manninne…. hierdie man doen al diens op Rugby-Talk van vanoggend 06:35 af.
Ek gaan nou die bed slaan met ‘n spoed!
Nama wrote:
Yep, but both are in a league of their own, if you want to build the perfect ten, you will combine their skills.
Carter on attack, JW on defense and drop kick ability
grootblousmile wrote:
Cheers. Lekker slaap
@ grootblousmile:
Nag bloues
73: lekker slaap.
@ nortierd:
Gewonder wanneer iemand sal raaksien dat JdJ deesae die bal uitgee. Sy kritici wat dit altyd teen hom gehou het, het nog nie iets daaroor gese nie. 😉 😉
@Ben #65
JdJ was die beste SA senter die hele seisoen. Ek sal selfs vir Ebersohn gaan haal, maar nouja, size does matter after all.
@ Ben:
Eintlik het Ludeke heel goed gedoen met ‘n jong, onervare Bul span. As hulle vandag gewen het, het hulle nog ‘n kans gestaa om die top 6 te haal. Hy behoort krediet te kry daarvoor.
78 @ Nama:
Praat jy van my? 😛
Ek dink Rayno Benjamin kon ook gerus in die bok groep gewees het
@ MacroBok:
😀 😀
Benjamin se ouderdom tel bietjie teen hom, dink ek. HM hou van GROOT senters, so hy pas nie daar nie en op vleuel is daar genoeg kwaliteit.
Nog steeds ongelukkig oor Brussow se weglating. Wonder of sy uitlating dat dit “maar net ‘n oefenkamp” is waarheen hy genooi is, nie teen hom gehou is die slag nie. Wie is die “fetcher” vir die Bokke as Flo seerkry, want nie een van Kolisi, Schalk of Coetzee doen goeie werk op daai gebied nie. Coetzee en Kolisi moes in elk geval nie in die groep gewees het op huidige vorm nie, maar nou het hulle mos Bok kontrakte.
@ Nama:
Dit is op record dat ek al heel jaar se JDJ speel goed 😛 vra vir ou Nortie.
Dit is baie teleurstellend dat Brussouw nie daar is nie.
Maar onthou laas jaar het ons nie n “fetcher” gehad nie, MAAR ons was baie goed in die rucks, Meyer het dit baie verbeter na die eerste jaar met daai Scot wat ons uithelp, dis net teen die all blacks teen wie ons sukkel, maar daar gaan dit meer oor ons verdediging.
Asook die feit dat die all blacks een van die beste spanne is wat ek al gesien het, na 2009 het hulle ouens soos retallick, kaino, messam, read gekry wat kak maak met ons.
MacroBok wrote:
Ou heins dis darrem Jammer dat jy nie 3m lank is en 250kg weeg nie will done aan oupa mohoje lood de jager cornal hendriks julle het maar femaak in n uiters kak naka 15 tal
Nama. Your obsession with Fransie is a bit over the top.
If both are fit, JDV will play outside and Fransie inside…given.
Love to see JDJ at 13 but HM will select Fransie ahead of him.
They need him for the long range penalties.
Eendag sal hy van sy eie 22 palle toe skop.
All Blacks to play 3 Tests against Old Blighty month.:
The squad is as follows: (with province, Investec Super Rugby team and Test caps. Uncapped players are in bold)
Forwards
Hookers
Dane Coles (Wellington / Hurricanes, 15)
Keven Mealamu (Auckland / Blues, 110)
Props
Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury / Crusaders, 24)
Charlie Faumuina (Auckland / Blues 17)
Ben Franks (Hawke’s Bay / Hurricanes, 31)
Owen Franks (Canterbury, Crusaders, 54)
Tony Woodcock (North Harbour/ Blues, 107)
Locks
Dominic Bird (Canterbury / Crusaders, 1)
Brodie Retallick (Bay of Plenty, Chiefs, 24)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland / Blues)
Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury/ Crusaders, 51)
Loose Forwards
Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty, Chiefs, 14)
Jerome Kaino (Auckland / Blues, 48)
Richie McCaw (c) (Canterbury / Crusaders, 124)
Liam Messam (Waikato / Chiefs, 29)
Kieran Read (Canterbury, Crusaders, 61)
Victor Vito (Wellington / Hurricanes, 22)
Backs
Halfbacks
Tawera Kerr–Barlow (Waikato / Chiefs, 14)
TJ Perenara (Wellington / Hurricanes)
Aaron Smith (Manawatu / Highlanders, 26)
First five–eighths
Beauden Barrett (Taranaki / Hurricanes, 16)
Aaron Cruden (Manawatu / Chiefs, 29)
Colin Slade (Canterbury / Crusaders (11)
Midfielders
Ryan Crotty (Canterbury / Crusaders, 5)
Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland / Highlanders)
Ma’a Nonu (Wellington / Blues, 88)
Conrad Smith (Wellington / Hurricanes, 75)
Outside backs
Israel Dagg (Hawke’s Bay / Crusaders, 38)
Cory Jane (Wellington / Hurricanes, 45)
Julian Savea (Wellington / Hurricanes, 20)
Ben Smith (Otago / Highlanders, 26)
The 31–man squad features the selection of two new players: outstanding midfielder Malakai Fekitoa who has had a breakout season with the Highlanders this year and athletic Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu. The squad also features the return of 48-Test veteran and Blues loose forward Jerome Kaino, who returns to the national side after a stint in Japan, as well as Hurricanes loose forward Victor Vito.
I know it is a big squad, but meyer is messing up by not choosing a captain yet.
@ Tuff Gong:
Yes, you’re right. Fransie at 12 and JdV at 13 is a given if both are fit. Doesn’t mean I have to agree with it.
One or two long range penalty opportunities. That’s what we need him for? Because I did not see him bringing much else to the Sharks back line play at inside centre.
No Brussow, no Whitely, no Reinach either?
Well, at last some consistency by HM 🙂
The Wales and Scotland test must be seen as an afterthought by HM, which will keep the media rumbling and chest pumping for a while, but then will come the real tests against an improved Wallabies and the All Blacks,,,
I can see HM smashing few water bottle in the Coaches Box 🙂 🙂
And then, no Ndungane, No Jantjies’ no Aplon? did I read the list correctly 😉
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