Saturday 28 May 2016 19:44, UK
South Africa head coach Allister Coetzee has named his 31-man squad for the upcoming home Test series against Ireland this June.
Nine Stormers players have been named in a new-look Springboks squad, along with seven Golden Lions players. Bath flanker Francois Louw is the only English-based player to be included in Coetzee's squad.
Joe Schmidt's 32-man Ireland squad depart for the tour on June 5 and face the Springboks in the first Test at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on June 11.
The two sides meet each other at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg in the second Test on June 18 before playing the third and final Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on June 25. All three matches will be shown live on Sky Sports.
"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," said Coetzee, who was appointed head coach of his national side in April.
"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."
South Africa Squad
Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Scarra Ntubeni, Jaco Kriel, Julian Redelinghuys, Warren Whiteley, Trevor Nyakane, Adriaan Strauss, Lood de Jager, Steven Kitshoff, Francois Louw, Tendai Mtawarira, Duane Vermeulen
Backs: Garth April, Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo, JP Pietersen, Wille le Roux, Ruan Combrinck, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, Lionel Mapoe, Jesse Kriel, Rudy Paige, Jan Serfontein, Damian de Allende, Nic Groom
