02 June
Springbok squad for Lions tests
The Springbok squad to take on the British & Irish Lions was announced by SARU President Oregan Hoskins and coach Peter de Villiers on Monday night at Montecasino.
The 28-man squad includes one newcomer in Vodacom Blue Bulls flyhalf Morné Steyn. The selection also marks the return to the Springbok squad of Sharks prop Deon Carstens and Vodacom Blue Bulls centre Wynand Olivier, both of whom last played for the Boks in 2007.
The other uncapped squad member is Xerox Lions flyhalf Earl Rose, who toured Europe with the Springbok team in 2008 but did not play.
Sharks flyhalf Ruan Pienaar and utility back Frans Steyn, who have been recovering from injury in recent weeks, are included in the group.
The squad includes ten players from the Vodacom Bulls’ victorious Vodacom Super 14 squad. No less than 25 members of the squad that toured Wales, Scotland and England at the end of last year were included again.
The Springboks will face the British & Irish Lions in three Tests– in Durban on June 20, Pretoria on June 27 and Johannesburg on 4 July.
The national selectors have also confirmed the Emerging Springbok team that will face the British & Irish Lions at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday, June 23. No player who has appeared for the Springboks was considered for this team.
The bulk of the squad featured for their respective franchises during the Vodacom Super 14. Former SA Schools captain, Dewald Potgieter of the Vodacom Blue Bulls, will captain the Emerging Boks.
Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir will coach the team alongside assistants Jerome Paarwater and Stanley Raubenheimer.
Springbok Squad (Test caps in brackets):
Forwards (14):
John Smit – Sharks (81) – Captain
Victor Matfield – Vodacom Blue Bulls (80) – Vice-Captain
Andries Bekker – Vodacom Western Province (13)
Bakkies Botha – Vodacom Blue Bulls (55)
Schalk Burger – Vodacom Western Province (49)
Deon Carstens – Sharks (7)
Bismarck du Plessis – Sharks (21)
Ryan Kankowski – Sharks (7)
Tendai Mtawarira – Sharks (10)
Chiliboy Ralepelle – Vodacom Blue Bulls (3)
Danie Rossouw – Vodacom Blue Bulls (36)
Juan Smith – Vodacom Cheetahs (54)
Pierre Spies – Vodacom Blue Bulls (19)
Gurthrö Steenkamp – Vodacom Blue Bulls (20)
Backs (14):
Jean de Villiers – Vodacom Western Province (46)
Fourie du Preez – Vodacom Blue Bulls (43)
Jaque Fourie – Xerox Lions (42)
Bryan Habana – Vodacom Blue Bulls (46)
Adi Jacobs – Sharks (21)
Ricky Januarie – Vodacom Western Province (34)
Odwa Ndungane – Sharks (3)
Jongi Nokwe – Vodacom Cheetahs (3)
Wynand Olivier – Vodacom Blue Bulls (21)
Ruan Pienaar – Sharks (27)
JP Pietersen – Sharks (24)
Earl Rose – Xerox Lions (uncapped)
Frans Steyn – Sharks (27)
Morné Steyn – Vodacom Blue Bulls (uncapped)
Emerging Springboks Squad:
Forwards (12):
Jacques Botes – Sharks
Jean Deysel – Sharks
Wian du Preez – Vodacom Cheetahs
Werner Kruger – Vodacom Blue Bullsv Patrick Cilliers – Sharks
Tiaan Liebenberg – Vodacom Western Province
Bandisa Maku – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Dewald Potgieter – Vodacom Blue Bulls – Captain
Wilhelm Steenkamp – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Steven Sykes – Sharks
Franco van der Merwe – Xerox Lions
Duane Vermeulen – Vodacom Western Province
Backs (10):
Heini Adams – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Bjorn Basson – GWK Griquas
Burton Francis – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Zane Kirchner – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Louis Ludik – Xerox Lions
Morgan Newman – Vodacom Western Province
Earl Rose – Xerox Lions
Deon van Rensburg – Platinum Leopards
Jano Vermaak – Xerox Lions
Luzuko Vulindlu – Sharks
Source + Pic: sarugby.co.za
