Carr, Adriaanse to boost Bok ranks after withdrawals

of two new committees – one to focus on licensed, franchise rugby (the six Super Rugby teams), with greater equity representation, and the second to concentrate on non-franchise rugby to look after the interests of the 14 member unions,” Alexander said.

After the Vodacom Cup was scrapped this year, there could be further changes to the domestic competitions. The historic Currie Cup failed to attract a title sponsor this season, with only two associate sponsors coming on board. Crowd numbers have also dropped significantly around the country, and the lower income levels have resulted in South African teams battling to hold on to their best players as the financial rewards in Europe and Japan are vastly better.

In that regard, Alexander said it was being considered to create an “independent group of high-profile individuals from South African civic society” to provide expert advice and be a sounding board. THE SPRINGBOKS’ stocks for the end-ofyear tour to Europe may have received an inadvertent boost following the withdrawal of Jaco Kriel and Jannie du Plessis yesterday.

Bok coach Allister Coetzee said that Western Province loose forward Nizaam Carr and Sharks tighthead prop Lourens Adriaanse will now stay on for the three Tests against England, Italy and Wales after initially being picked for just next Saturday’s friendly against the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium in London.

Kriel was the firm favourite to start at openside flank in the Tests due to the injury-enforced absence of Francois Louw (hamstring), but a knee ligament injury picked up on duty for his Japanese club has ruled Kriel out for up to four weeks.

But Coetzee would do well to take a look at Carr in such a role. The 25-year-old had his breakthrough season as a No 6 for the Stormers in 2014, and even though he prefers being at No 8 as a linking, playmaking loose forward, he has shown that he is prepared to get stuck in and put his head into the “dark spaces” at the breakdown.

Adriaanse did feature in the Rugby Championship this year, which is why he was a surprise omission from the Test squad for the end-of-year tour, with Du Plessis being brought in from the cold due to the injuries to Frans Malherbe, Julian Redelinghuys and Coenie Oosthuizen.

But Du Plessis has since withdrawn due to the imminent birth of his third child in early November. – Ashfak Mohamed