Coach Coetzee shows his hand
FOUR NEW CAPS NAMED FOR EUROPE TESTS
The omission of a few players has raised eyebrows, while the unavailability of centre Jan Serfontein has opened the door for Francois Venter to return to the Springbok set-up for the tour to Europe next month.
Bok coach Allister Coetzee named a 34-man squad of 19 forwards and 15 backs yesterday for the tour, which was set to open with a Test against Ireland on November 11 followed by meetings with France, Italy and Wales.
Players who could consider themselves unlucky not to make the squad were flyhalf Robert du Preez, centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg, No 8 Nizaam Carr, flank Kwagga Smith and scrumhalf Jano Vermaak.
Serfontein asked not to be considered as he wanted time to settle in at his new French club Montpellier, while flank Jean-Luc du Preez’s inclusion was subject to an MRI scan today after he picked up an ankle injury in the Currie Cup final at the weekend.
Either Smith or Carr could still be called up to the squad should Du Preez be ruled out.
Four new caps were named, with fullback Warrick Gelant and centre Lukhanyo Am featuring for the first time, while scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and No 8 Dan du Preez were part of the wider group announced earlier this year.
“Warrick and Lukhanyo are two examples of players who have excelled,” Coetzee said.
Prop Coenie Oosthuizen was recalled, having completed his rehabilitation from an arm injury, along with loose forwards Oupa Mohoje and Uzair Cassiem.
Flank Siya Kolisi was due to return to Cape Town after the Test against France in Paris on November 18 as his wife Rachel was due to give birth the following week. He would re-join the group for the final tour match in Cardiff against Wales.
Players who were contracted to overseas clubs – Franco Mostert, Francois Louw and Elton Jantjies – would not be considered for selection for the December 2 encounter against Wales, as this Test fell outside the international window.
Forwards: Uzair Cassiem, Lood de Jager, Ruan Dreyer, Dan du Preez, JeanLuc du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Oupa Mohojé, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle.
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Curwin Bosch, Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronje, Damian de Allende, Warrick Gelant, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Rudy Paige, Handré Pollard , Raymond Rhule, Louis Schreuder, Courtnall Skosan, Francois Venter.