Seven Lions players make Springbok squad
Springbok squad announced for upcoming Test series against Ireland.
Altogether seven Emirates Lions players made the 31-player squad to face the Irish team in a three-match series.
Noteworthy was the inclusion of Ruan Combrinck, from the outskirts of Alberton, who is one of the uncapped players in the squad.
Allister Coetzee has named a new-look Springbok side, including nine uncapped players, for the Castle Lager Incoming Series against Ireland, featuring three Tests, in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
The uncapped players who have forced their way into the Springbok squad are Garth April (flyhalf), Combrinck (wing), Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Nic Groom (scrumhalf), Steven Kitshoff (prop), Jaco Kriel (flank), Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (flank) and Scarra Ntubeni (hooker).
Apart for Combrinck and Kriel, the other Lions players included in the squad are Warren Whiteley, Julian Redelinghuys, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies and Llionel Mapoe.
Coetzee selected 17 forwards and 14 backs for the start of a two week preparation camp in Stellenbosch and Cape Town.
Coetzee said he was excited and looking forward to starting work with his squad.
“The announcement of the squad, while hugely challenging, is a highlight of my career and a result of a lot of hard work and a huge amount of planning since my appointment,” he explained.
“The selection of this squad was based on rewarding form and exposing young and upcoming local players to the Springboks, which is why priority was given to locally based players.
”We have many experienced players still available for selection, but we just felt that the time was right to look at the next generation.
“Our depth was obviously tested in certain positions, but this also created opportunities for new players, who have found their feet at Vodacom Super Rugby level, and to make the step up to the Springboks.
“I was appointed to win Test matches and I believe we have picked the best possible available squad to do that.
”During my recent visits to the various franchises, I witnessed an unbelievable desire and passion from our players to play for South Africa, which was really heartening.
“We will now start with our preparations in earnest in Stellenbosch ,so that we can be ready for Ireland in Cape Town in two weeks’ time.”
Coetzee did not name a team captain and said he wanted to work with the squad before making a decision in the week of the first Test.
Several players were not available for selection for the Springbok or SA ‘A’ squads because of injuries or Springbok Sevens commitments.
Furthermore, experienced scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar informed Coetzee that he is not available for selection for the June Tests.
Coetzee said that four players not included in the Springboks’ match-23 for the first two Tests, will be released to the SA ‘A’ squad for their matches against the England Saxons.
The three Tests between the Springboks and Ireland will take place on June 11 at DHL Newlands, in Cape Town; on June 18 at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg and on June 25 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, in Port Elizabeth.
