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Rod McCall (65)
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Tri-Nations
Beast, Hougaard join Bok squad
2010-06-26 18:00Email | Print
Oregon Hoskins (File)
East London - A squad of 28 Springbok players for the away leg of the Vodacom Tri-Nations was announced by South African Rugby Union (SARU) President Mr Oregan Hoskins in East London on Saturday. The group includes 16 forwards and 12 backs.
Twenty-one of the players involved in the second Test against Italy at Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday are in the group with reserve lock Flip van der Merwe missing out on selection.
Five players who were involved in the earlier Tests against Wales, France and Italy return to the squad after either rest or injury. They are vice-captain Victor Matfield, lock Danie Rossouw, loose forward Ryan Kankowski, prop CJ van der Linde and fullback Zane Kirchner.
Sharks prop Tendai Mtawarira returns after securing his SA citizenship and Vodacom Bulls utility back Francois Hougaard, who made his Test debut from the bench against Italy in Udine last November, also makes a return.
A host of players who were involved in the championship winning squad in 2009 were unavailable for selection through injury. They are: wing JP Pietersen, centre Adi Jacobs, scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, flank Heinrich Brüssow, hooker Bismarck du Plessis, and wing Odwa Ndungane. Flank Juan Smith was also unavailable for personal reasons.
“It’s a strong squad,” said Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.
Springbok squad:
Backs: Gio Aplon (Vodacom Stormers), Juan de Jongh (Vodacom Stormers), Jean de Villiers (Vodacom Western Province), Jaque Fourie (Vodacom Stormers), Bryan Habana (Vodacom Stormers), Francois Hougaard (Vodacom Bulls), Butch James (Bath), Ricky Januarie (Vodacom Stormers), Zane Kirchner (Vodacom Bulls), Wynand Oliver (Vodacom Bulls), Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), Morné Steyn (Vodacom Bulls).
Forwards: Andries Bekker (Vodacom Stormers), Bakkies Botha (Vodacom Bulls), BJ Botha (Ulster), Schalk Burger (Vodacom Stormers), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), Francois Louw (Vodacom Stormers), Victor Matfield (Vodacom Bulls), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Dewald Potgieter (Vodacom Bulls), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Vodacom Bulls), Danie Rossouw (Vodacom Bulls), John Smit (Sharks, captain), Pierre Spies (Vodacom Bulls), Gurthrö Steenkamp (Vodacom Bulls), CJ van der Linde (Vodacom Cheetahs).