Allister Coetzee has named a new-look Springbok squad, including 9 uncapped players, for the Castle Lager Incoming Series against Ireland, featuring 3 Tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
The uncapped players who have forced their way into the Springbok squad are Garth April (Cell C Sharks – flyhalf), Ruan Combrinck (Emirates Lions – wing), Faf de Klerk (Emirates Lions – scrumhalf), Nic Groom (DHL Stormers – scrumhalf), Steven Kitshoff (Overseas-based – prop), Jaco Kriel (Emirates Lions – flank), Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers – hooker), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (DHL Stormers – flank) and Scarra Ntubeni (DHL Stormers – hooker).
Coetzee picked 17 forwards and 14 backs to report for duty on Sunday afternoon for the start of a 2-week long preparation camp in Stellenbosch and Cape Town. The squad will gather in Stellenbosch for the 1st week, before they break for 2 days and then reassemble on Sunday 5 June in Cape Town.
Coetzee said he was excited and looking forward to start working with his squad.
“The announcement of the squad, while hugely challenging, is a highlight of my career and a result of a lot of hard work and a huge amount of planning since my appointment,” said Coetzee.
“The selection of this squad was based on rewarding form and exposing young and upcoming local players to the Springboks, which is why priority was given to locally based players. We have many experienced players still available for selection, but we just felt that the time was right to look at the next generation.
“Our depth was obviously tested in certain positions, but this also created opportunities for new players, who have found their feet at Vodacom Super Rugby level, and to make the step up to the Springboks.
“I was appointed to win Test matches and I believe we have picked the best possible, available squad to do that. During my recent visits to the various franchises, I witnessed an unbelievable desire and passion from our players to play for South Africa, which was really heartening.
“We will now start with our preparations in earnest in Stellenbosch so that we can be ready for Ireland in Cape Town in 2 weeks’ time.”
Coetzee did not name a team captain and said he wanted to work with the squad before making a decision in the week of the 1st Test.
“We have a number of captaincy candidates to consider and I will announce the name of the captain when we name the team to face Ireland in Cape Town in a few days’ time,” said the Springbok coach.
Several players were not available for selection for the Springbok or SA ‘A’ squads because of injuries or Springbok Sevens commitments.
They are JC Janse van Rensburg, Sti Sithole, Marcell Coetzee, CJ Velleman, Chris Cloete, Thembelani Bholi, Schalk Burger, Cobus Reinach, Jano Vermaak, Elgar Watts, Robert du Preez, Kurt Coleman, Handré Pollard, Harold Vorster, Cornal Hendricks, Andries Coetzee, Dillyn Leyds, Jaco van der Walt (all injuries or illness), as well as Francois Hougaard, Bryan Habana, Juan de Jongh, Seabelo Senatla, Cheslin Kolbe, Warrick Gelant and Siviwe Soyizwapi (all Springbok Sevens).
Furthermore, experienced scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar informed Coetzee that he is not available for selection for the June Tests.
“We were considering all the players on this list carefully but they are unfortunately not available. We’ve also had good discussions with Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell and I support them fully in their preparations for the Olympic Games in August even though some of those players were real contenders for inclusion in the Springbok squad,” said Coetzee.
Coetzee added that that 4 players not included in the Springboks’ match-23 for the 1st 2 Tests, will be released to the SA ‘A’ squad for their matches against the England Saxons.
The 3 Tests between the Springboks and Ireland will take place on 11 June 2016 at DHL Newlands in Cape Town, on 18 June 2016 at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg and on 25 June 2016 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
The Springbok squad for the Incoming Series (alphabetical order):
- Garth April (Flyhalf – Cell C Sharks) 0 Caps
- Ruan Combrinck (Wing – Emirates Lions) 0 Caps
- Damian de Allende (Centre – DHL Stormers) 13 Caps
- Lood de Jager (Lock – Toyota Cheetahs) 19 Caps
- Faf de Klerk (Scrumhalf – Emirates Lions) 0 Caps
- Pieter-Steph du Toit (Lock – DHL Stormers) 8 Caps
- Eben Etzebeth (Lock – DHL Stormers) 44 Caps
- Nic Groom (Scrumhalf – DHL Stormers) 0 Caps
- Elton Jantjies (Flyhalf – Emirates Lions) 2 Caps
- Steven Kitshoff (Prop – Bordeaux, France) 0 Caps
- Siya Kolisi (Flank – DHL Stormers) 13 Caps
- Jaco Kriel (Flank – Emirates Lions) 0 Caps
- Jesse Kriel (Centre – Vodacom Bulls) 11 Caps
- Patrick Lambie (Flyhalf – Cell C Sharks) 50 Caps
- Willie le Roux (Fullback – Cell C Sharks) 34 Caps
- Francois Louw (Flank – Bath, England) 43 Caps
- Frans Malherbe (Prop – DHL Stormers) 12 Caps
- Lionel Mapoe (Centre – Emirates Lions) 1 Cap
- Bongi Mbonambi (Hooker – DHL Stormers) 0 Caps
- Tendai Mtawarira (Prop – Cell C Sharks) 75 Caps
- Lwazi Mvovo (Wing – Cell C Sharks) 15 Caps
- Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Flank – DHL Stormers) 0 Caps
- Scarra Ntubeni (Hooker – DHL Stormers) 0 Caps
- Trevor Nyakane (Prop – Vodacom Bulls) 23 Caps
- Rudy Paige (Scrumhalf – Vodacom Bulls) 2 Caps
- JP Pietersen (Wing – Cell C Sharks) 66 Caps
- Julian Redelinghuys (Prop – Emirates Lions) 2 Caps
- Jan Serfontein (Centre – Vodacom Bulls) 26 Caps
- Adriaan Strauss (Hooker – Vodacom Bulls) 54 Caps
- Duane Vermeulen (No 8 – Toulon, France) 35 Caps
- Warren Whiteley (No 8 – Emirates Lions) 3 Caps
The Franchise / Club breakdown is as follows:
DHL Stormers: 9
Emirates Lions: 7
Cell C Sharks: 6
Vodacom Bulls: 5
Overseas Players: 3
Toyota Cheetahs: 1
Southern Kings: 0
Players of Colour:
12 Players out of 31 in the squad are players of colour.
That equates to about 38.7% of the squad.
Johan Ackermann to coach the SA ‘A’ Squad against the Saxons:
Johan Ackermann
Johan Ackermann has been appointed as head coach of a strong SA ‘A’ team, featuring 6 players with Springbok Test experience, for their 2-match series against the England Saxons (England ‘A’) next month. He will be assisted by Chumani Booi and Abe Davids.
5 Of the 6 players with Test experience are in the pack. They are Oupa Mohoje, Nizaam Carr, Coenie Oosthuizen, Vincent Koch and Marcel van der Merwe. At the back, Piet van Zyl will provide knowledge of international rugby.
The national selectors also picked 7 players who had their 1st taste of Vodacom Super Rugby this year. They are Lukhanyo Am, Jean-Luc du Preez, Lizo Gqoboka, Ntando Kebe, JD Schickerling, RG Snyman and Leolin Zas.
“Many of the players in the SA ‘A’ squad were considered for the Springboks and will obviously come into consideration in the event of injuries, but we could only select a certain number of players and it will be good to see them get international exposure against a strong England Saxons team,” said Springbok coach Allister Coetzee.
“For the 1st 2 weeks of our series against Ireland, we will release 4 players not included in the Springboks’ match-23 to the SA ‘A’ squad and we will work closely with Johan and his coaching team to get the best out of our players.
“Only players based in South Africa were considered for the SA ‘A’ squad and it was good to balance the squad with some experienced Test players. However, we’ve also seen an exciting generation of new players emerge in Vodacom Super Rugby this year – some of them coming through after injuries to other players – and I’d like to see them grab their opportunities against the Saxons.”
Ackermann, a former Springbok lock, is currently the most-experienced South African coach in Vodacom Super Rugby, with the Emirates Lions. Under his coaching, the Xerox Golden Lions went unbeaten through the Currie Cup season in 2015.
Booi, the current Border Bulldogs assistant coach, is a former provincial star with 20 Vodacom Super Rugby and 147 provincial matches to his name, while Davids is the head coach of the SWD Eagles and previously coached the Boland Cavaliers.
Completing the management team are Rob Collins (team doctor), Karabo Morokane (physiotherapist), Thulani Nteta (strength & conditioning coach), and Willem Oliphant (team manager). SA Rugby will second a technical analyst from its Rugby Department to assist the team.
“We’re very excited to see what Johan and his team can do against what will be a very strong England Saxons team,” said SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux.
“Johan has done very well with the Lions recently and they’ve played an exciting brand of rugby. I’m sure the SA ‘A’ team will be just as formidable under his coaching.
“This will also be a good opportunity for Abe and Chumani to coach against international opposition. Both SWD and Border have played some enterprising rugby this year and have claimed some big scalps along the way. They will add a good dynamic to the SA ‘A’ team.”
The SA ‘A’ team and the England Saxons’ matches are scheduled for Friday 10 June at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, and a week later, on Friday 17 June at Outeniqua Park in George. Both encounters will kick off at 19:10 SA Time and will be broadcast on SuperSport.
The SA ‘A’ squad for the England Saxons tour is:
- Lukhanyo Am (Centre / Wing – Cell C Sharks & Southern Kings)
- Francois Brummer (Flyhalf / Fullback – Steval Pumas & Vodacom Bulls)
- Nizaam Carr (Flank – DHL Stormers) 2 Test caps
- Jean-Luc du Preez (Flank – Cell C Sharks)
- Thomas du Toit (Prop – Cell C Sharks)
- Lizo Gqoboka (Prop – Vodacom Bulls)
- Travis Ismaiel (Wing – Vodacom Bulls)
- Ntando Kebe (Scrumhalf – Border Bulldogs & Southern Kings)
- Vincent Koch (Prop – Steval Pumas & DHL Stormers) 2 Test caps
- Edgar Marutlulle (Hooker – Southern Kings)
- Malcolm Marx (Hooker – Emirates Lions)
- Howard Mnisi (Centre – Emirates Lions)
- Oupa Mohoje (Flank – Toyota Cheetahs) 8 Test caps
- Franco Mostert (Lock – Emirates Lions)
- Coenie Oosthuizen (Prop – Cell C Sharks) 23 Test caps
- Sergeal Petersen (Wing – Toyota Cheetahs)
- JD Schickerling (Lock – DHL Stormers)
- Courtnall Skosan (Wing – Emirates Lions)
- RG Snyman (Lock – Vodacom Bulls)
- Marcel van der Merwe (Prop – Vodacom Bulls) 7 Test caps
- Piet van Zyl (Scrumhalf – Vodacom Bulls) 2 Test caps
- Francois Venter (Centre – Toyota Cheetahs)
- Leolin Zas (Wing – DHL Stormers)
SA ‘A’ Team Management:
- Johan Ackermann – Head Coach
- Chumani Booi – Assistant Coach
- Abe Davids – Assistant Coach
- Thulani Nteta – Conditioning Coach
- Dr Rob Collins – Team Doctor
- Karabo Morokane – Physiotherapist
- Willem Oliphant – Team Manager
The Springbok squad is not bad at all… just a few bolters like Garth April and Nic Groom… annd of course we will all have players which we deem needs to be there but is’nt and some who are there and should not be…
Personally I do not think Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Garth April & Nic Groom should have been in the 31… but that is me.
Best of luck to Allister Coetzee, at least he was bold enough to reward good form and to select 9 non-capped players… that is a very positive sign!!
Remember, we will also feature the England / Wales intenational tomorrow as a Live Game Article, late afternoon and of course early in the morning at 08:05 we have 1 more Super Rugby game to go for the weekend!!
Congratulations to all the players and coaches/support staff that were selected for the Boks and SA ‘A’.
grootblousmile wrote:
Interesting out of a squad of 31 only 4 players you have doubts about GBS, 2 of which from the team we support, seems quite objective. Although it sounds as if Serfontein has had some pretty good games in the last while far more prominent and innovative on attack but I can’t comment as have not seen the Super rugby. Looking at the squad with only one specialist fullback in it, wonder if Jesse Kriel will be a good versatile sub covering centre and fullback from the bench. Although having met and being really impressed by Jesse I probably can’t give an objective assessment on him but interesting for all the criticism he has had thrown his way that two different Bok coaches select him.
Well done Sarries for doing the double, adding the Premiership title to their European Cup trophy. Saracens beat Exeter in the final today – Saracens 28/20 Exeter Chiefs.
Very good result for Connacht winning the PRO12 final which was played in Edinburgh today
Pat Lam and his squad have done so well taking the poorer cousins of Irish Rugby to victory against one of the favoured sons Leinster. Connacht 20/10 Leinster.
2 @ grootblousmile:
Enjoy that GBS will try pop in for a while during the game but quite a lot on the go tomorrow here.
A Kiwi will make his debut for England tomorrow, Northampton’s Teimana Harrison (number 7) will be interested to hear any thoughts on him. Also Matt Kvesic is on the bench, he is in the Saxons squad for the tour to SA, think he is quite good whenever have seen him play, small strong flanker.
A decent group to take SA forward. The start of a new era I think.
One can only look at SA Rugby and shake one’s head in amazement.
I’m sure we all realise that we live in a strange land with some rather strange requirements, not least of which is the question of racial quotas in sport.
I’m just gobsmacked that by FAR the best hooker in the country this season has been deemed to be only the 4th best available and must fall in behind the Stormers SECOND CHOICE hooker.
And we wonder why our players go overseas.
@ Scrumdown:
We do live in a strange land indeed.
I think we are seeing the start of a new era, and SA rugby wants to change things quite significantly.
Having said that, I do agree with your comment – I hope that in my lifetime, we get back to a true meritocracy in this country . . .
Ek sukkel om te verstaan hoe die wp 9 spelers in die span het…
Well done atter al speel jy nie meer vir jou geliefde cheetah span nie bly ek n moerse fan, mag jy die bokke met net sofeel passie en toewyding ly as wat jy die cheetahs, en nou die speen kalfies ly well done….
@ smallies: Actually 12 if you look at the 3 overseas players. But credit to him, he did pick 7 Lions players and 6 Sharkies, and 5 Bulletjies, which represents the teams from SA who are doing well.
Adriaan Strauss is the new SA captain. Bad choice IMHO. Even Thor or Louw would have been better. WW should have been the obvious choice.
@ Lion4ever:
Laat ons maar oop kaarte speel whitley gaan nie vir thor lig nie daarom strauss
Si nou weet ons drie goed, atter gaan op twee begin, vermeulen op 8 en jantjies op 10as hy reg is. Wat dink julle?
Disappointing reaction from some people here.
Whitely is not a guaranteed starter and AC said he wanted a local
Captain.
Very decent squad in my opinion.
Good luck to AC and the guys.
gunther wrote:
Agreed, the quota system will make sure of that.
I noticed straight away as well that the only overseas-based players that have been picked coincidentally all have Western Province “history” behind them…
Hmmmmmmm
From a &%$#@ hot Hong Kong, howzit guys.
Yes, I was very encouraged by AC’s first squad and rationale behind its selection.
He’s looking forward. Not backwards.
The forwards have a solidity about them. The backs the potential to excite under our two top form 10’s.
Groom(coming from a Stormer) was a shock, have to say. Think he’ll be cut to join the SA A’s next week.
April is there to get the Bok ‘culture’ embedded in his brain and could be exciting for the future, even though he’s an ou-man at 24.
Not bad at all guys.
cheers
15 @ smallies:
To me this shows that the pattern of play won’t be one that can consistently beat the likes of New Zealand.
Warren Whitely is THE MOST INTELLIGENT player in the country. I am damn sure that AC will start with Vermeulen, and that HAS TO DICTATE the type of game plan that will be employed.
I can understand Strauss as captain, but he is not the best hooker in SA at the moment.
The best hooker is playing for the “A” side.
Marx has handed every other SA hooker a lesson this year, BAR NONE.
Also a pity that AC didn’t have the guts to give a chap like Edgar Maritulle of the Kings a chance with the main squad. He has had a better season than both of the Stormers hookers IMO.
That said, the squad has a balanced look to it, even though I personally feel that some of the players included are there as part of the bigger transformation issue, and may not have made it purely on merit.
This squad has the potential to give the Irish a hiding, but I am afraid they will struggle against the Australasians.
@ Scrumdown:
IMO Vermeulen was always going to be the first choice at number 8. He has already proved himself to rugby followers all over the world as an excellent international player while Whitely has not as yet established himself at that level. There is a huge difference between super rugby and test rugby in terms of intensity and physicality. The jury is still out whether Whitely has the physical presence to impose himself at test level and he should get his chance off the bench depending on how the game unfolds.
I am generally very happy with the squad. With Franco Mostert being drafted in in place of PSDT, it brings the number of Stormers and Lions players to an equal number (barring the 3 overseas based players). The no 8 battle really boils down to what game plan you want to play and then the make up of your loose trio. But the argument about the starting no 8 is moot until 5 June. Then we will see if Thor has chosen the Euro over country. He has been chosen, but his boss has threatened to dock his pay if comes to SA for the tests. That is still another sub plot that we have to contend with.
22 @ robzim:
I agree 100% re Vermeulen and his proven ability.
I just don’t think he is the right type of player to fit in to a playing style that will CONSISTENTLY beat the Aussies and Kiwis.
If AC is planning on playing a team that fits around a defence dominated game with 1 off runners bashing it up when in possession, then frankly I think it pointless to even include the likes of the Lions trio of Whitely, Kriel and Jantjies in the team.
They simply will be like ducks out of water.
Maybe I am totally wrong, but based on the Stormers’ playing style under AC, I can’t see it being any different when the players are wearing green instead of blue & white hoops.
Hopefully Toetie surprises me.
It is quite a pity about PS Du Toit’s injury as he was arguably the best SA lock in superrugby so far this season. I guess Eben and Lood will now have to kiss and make up after the slight misunderstanding they had on Saturday.
hello boys
any input on the cheetah prop
Maks Van Dyk
who is heading to toulouse ?
@ rebop75:
Hello rebop75 he is a tighthead prop whose real first name is Nicolaas, can’t comment on how good he is in the scrums but sure some others here who have seen him play will be able to. He is still quite young having played for the South African U20s in 2012 the year they won their tournament. Seems to have moved around quite a bit for someone who has not been playing rugby for that long. Started his Junior career at Western Province then went on to the Sharks. His senior career shows him playing for Sharks, Cheetahs, Griquas, then a very short time at Leinster, then the EP Kings where he ended up getting out of contract before even playing for them and now back at Cheetahs.
Interesting to read the comments on here about the Bok squad, some mixed views but generally there seems to be quite a bit of optimism about the squad.
@bullscot
thanks
i hope some cheetahs fan will pass by and give his input
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