The Springbok training squad has been announced with the first of three preparation camps taking place from 5 to 7 March in Johannesburg.
The camps are part of the Springboks’ preparations before the start of the international season in June. France will be the first test for South Africa in an incoming three-match series.
Current World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, Seabelo Senatla, together with fit-again Springboks, Handré Pollard, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe and Jaco Kriel, have all been included in the squad.
Confirmed Bok coach Allister Coetzee indicated that he was very happy to start working with the squad so early on in the year. “We did a lot of background planning and this camp will give us the opportunity to take the objectives we agreed on at the various indabas to the training field,” he said. “This group was selected before the start of Vodacom Super Rugby so that we could adhere to World Rugby regulations by giving notice of the camp 14 days in advance.”
Five players earmarked for possible future Springbok involvement have also been called up. Ox Nche (prop, Toyota Cheetahs); Joseph Dweba (hooker, Toyota Cheetahs); Hanro Liebenberg (No. 8, Vodacom Bulls); Warrick Gelant (fullback, Vodacom Bulls) and Wilco Louw (prop, DHL Stormers) have joined the Bok squad.
Players of the Sharks and Southern Kings were not considered for the Joburg camp due to Super Rugby duty in Australia and Singapore respectively, while Lions players will leave the camp after Mondays’ activities to travel for Super Rugby duty in Argentina.
SA Rugby CEO, Jurie Roux, waxed lyrical about the commitment shown by the franchise teams. “I want to thank our franchises for their cooperation and releasing their players during Vodacom Super Rugby for the three Springbok camps.
“Unfortunately, we did not have any of these camps in 2016 and we know it is very important for the players and the coaches to spend as much time together as possible before the start of the season,” he said.
Long-term injured players such as Juan de Jongh (centre), Roelof Smit (flank) and Howard Mnisi (centre) were not considered for the upcoming camp.
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