Meyer calls up former Bok greats
Matfield and Burger included in 36-man squad
HEYNEKE Meyer sprung very few surprises yesterday when he named a 36-man training squad that will camp in Durban next week ahead of the incoming June tour which will see the Boks face a World XV side as well as Wales and Scotland.
Meyer included eight uncapped Boks – prop Marcel van der Merwe, lock Lood de Jager, loose-forwards Jacques du Plessis and Teboho “Oupa” Mohole, flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff, centre Damien de Allende and former Bok Sevens stars S’bura Sithole and Cornall Hendricks.
“It’s encouraging to see a bunch of new players emerging from Super Rugby,” said Meyer.
“This is a very big year for us and the players know they will have to step up a gear, be sharp and focused. We have 14 very challenging matches ahead and it’s imperative that we build on what was a good season lat year.”
Former Blitzbokke captain Mzwandile Stick expressed his delight at the inclusion of former Queen’s College star Sithole and his former Sevens teammate Hendricks.
“The mere fact that a guy like Cornall was one of Paul Treu’s key players who moved from Sevens to 15-man rugby and now gets a call up to the Springboks shows that Sevens does add value,” said Stick.
“This is good for Sithole, too. Jake White showed faith and trust in him by switching him to centre when nobody else thought of that, and he delivered.”
Stick also commended Meyer for calling up young, untested players.
“It’s a sign that coaches trust the youngsters. Now is the time to give them opportunities. By doing so, Meyer adds to the depth that will be at his disposal.”
As expected, veteran and former Bok captain Victor Matfield was named in the team, while Schalk Burger also makes a return to the national fold. After two seasons of being overlooked, Heinrich Brüssow also rejoins the Bok setup.
While Matfield’s return from retirement at the start of the season might be seen as a blessing in disguise given the dearth at lock caused by an injury crisis, former Bok second-rower Mark Andrews remains unconvinced that the 36-year-old Matfield is fully ready for a starting berth at international level yet.
“We can’t expect the same that he provided before. He is no (New Zealander) Brad Thorn, who despite his age remained physical and abrasive,” said Andrews yesterday.
“I would be quite surprised if he’s made to start Test matches.
“I think it would be better to have him in as a type of mentor for younger guys. If anything, his return is more of a stop-gap than anything.”
The 1995 World Cup winner also cautioned on the return of incumbent number four Eben Etzebeth, who has just recovered from a foot injury and has not played since last November. The squad is: Forwards: Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Jannie du Plessis, Frans Malherbe, Coenie Oosthuizen, Bismarck du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Victor Matfield, Flip van der Merwe, Heinrich Brüssow, Marcell Coetzee, Siya Kolisi, Willem Alberts, Jacques du Plessis, Teboho Mohole, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger. Backs: Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Johan Goosen, Marnitz Boshoff, Jean de Villiers, Damien de Allende, Jan Serfontein, Juan de Jongh, J J Engelbrecht, S’bura Sithole, Frans Steyn, Lwazi Mvovo, Bjorn Basson, J P Pietersen, Cornal Hendricks, Willie le Roux.