Springbok training squad named for Castle Lager Rugby Championship
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee named Adriaan Strauss as captain and named Jesse Kriel in his squad of 31 players for the opening two matches of the 2016 Castle Lager Rugby Championship against Argentina.
He also included uncapped Malcolm Marx and recalled Oupa Mohoje, Vincent Koch, Juan de Jongh, Francois Hougaard, Bryan Habana and Johan Goosen.
Overall, seven changes have been made to the squad that did duty against Ireland in the Castle Lager Incoming Test Series in June. Injured players not considered for selection are Frans Malherbe, Coenie Oosthuizen, Jan Serfontein, Pat Lambie, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach and Siya Kolisi.
The Springbok squad will assemble in stages from tomorrow (Sunday, 7 August) in Johannesburg. The nine Emirates Lions players who featured in the Vodacom Super Rugby Final earlier on Saturday will join on Wednesday with the six overseas-based players and two Olympians due to join on Sunday, 14 August.
The remaining squad members assemble tomorrow for a week’s preparations before the full squad of 31 players move camp to Nelspruit (14 August) to continue their preparations for the first Test against Argentina, on 20 August in the Mbombela Stadium.
The selection of prop Trevor Nyakane is subject to medical clearance.
Meanwhile, Coetzee has decided that Chean Roux will take charge of the Bok defensive coaching duties. Roux, who previously assisted the Boks as part of the Mobi Unit on refereeing and technical aspects, fills the vacancy left by Jacques Nienaber who recently left the Mobi Unit and SA Rugby to take up a post at Irish club Munster.
The Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship is:
1. Ruan Combrinck Wing Emirates Lions 2 caps
2. Damian de Allende Centre DHL Stormers 16 caps
3. Lood de Jager Lock Toyota Cheetahs 20 caps
4. Juan de Jongh Centre DHL Stormers 14 caps
5. Faf de Klerk Scrumhalf Emirates Lions 3 caps
6. Pieter-Steph du Toit Lock DHL Stormers 11 caps
7. Eben Etzebeth Lock DHL Stormers 47 caps
8. Johan Goosen Utility Back Racing Metro (France) 6 caps
9. Bryan Habana Wing Toulon (France) 117 caps
10. Francois Hougaard Utility Back Worcester (England) 35 caps
11. Elton Jantjies Flyhalf Emirates Lions 5 caps
12. Steven Kitshoff Prop Bordeaux (France) 1 cap
13. Vincent Koch Prop DHL Stormers/Steval Pumas 2 caps
14. Jaco Kriel Flank Emirates Lions 1 cap
15. Jesse Kriel Centre Vodacom Bulls 12 caps
16. Francois Louw Flank Bath (England) 46 caps
17. Lionel Mapoe Centre Emirates Lions 4 caps
18. Malcolm Marx Hooker Emirates Lions 0 caps
19. Bongi Mbonambi Hooker DHL Stormers 1 cap
20. Teboho Mohoje Flank Toyota Cheetahs 8 caps
21. Franco Mostert Lock Emirates Lions 2 caps
22. Tendai Mtawarira Prop Cell C Sharks 78 caps
23. Lwazi Mvovo Wing Cell C Sharks 17 caps
24. Sikhumbuzo Notshe Flank DHL Stormers 0 caps
25. *Trevor Nyakane Prop Vodacom Bulls 25 caps
26. Rudy Paige Scrumhalf Vodacom Bulls 3 caps
27. Julian Redelinghuys Prop Emirates Lions 5 caps
28. Morne Steyn Flyhalf Stade Francais (France) 61 caps
29. Adriaan Strauss (captain) Hooker Vodacom Bulls 57 caps
30. Duane Vermeulen No 8 Toulon (France) 37 caps
31. Warren Whiteley No 8 Emirates Lions 6 caps
*Subject to medical clearance
I.V.M die Lions hard luck, ek van begin af gese Faf is altyd exciting maar in nat en tight games gaan hy beslis nie n game vir jou wen nie, meer een verloor. Sorry om te se maar Ackers jyt n brainfart gehad n paar weke terug. Maar welgedaan met n goeie seisoen ten minste speel julle mooi rugby waar die ander unies nog moet opvang.
Welgedaan aan die Bulle. Jammer om te gaan le het (soos gewoonlik). Arno was uitstekend, vraag is nou gaan hy consistent bly? En ook wanneer gaan ons dit sien in Super rugby?
Hou voete op grond en werk harder elke week.
Hoop nie Stigling is uit vir lank nie, die mannetjie kan speel. Waar is Roelof Smit? Ons moet hom meer speel tyd gee
Bly om te sien Piet van Zyl kom reg en speel weer sy ou rugby. hoop iemand wil net vir Rudy Paige koop. dink nie da is plek vir hom by die bylle nie.is verseker 'n kwita speler. Dan dink ek ook Pierre Schoeman lyk goed, Jason Jenkins gaan ook 'n grootnaamword.