Boks gamble on selection

Only two hookers named in the South Africa squad

Last updated: 24th June 2008

Boks gamble on selection

Smit: One of two hookers in the Boks squad

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South Africa selectors have gambled on selecting just two hookers in their 28-man squad for next month's Tri-Nations.

Coach Peter de Villiers has included only captain John Smit and Bismarck du Plessis in the squad that will face New Zealand in Wellington (July 5) and in Dunedin (July 12), before moving on to Perth to tackle the Wallabies (July 19).

The move will be seen as a huge risk by the Springboks, especially as Smit is currently tied up on club duty with Clermont in France.

That means there is no place in the 28 from Schalk Brits, who came into the squad for the Test against Italy.

Winger JP Pietersen and No.8 Ryan Kankowski are both included in the squad.

Pietersen missed the summer Tests and endured a try-less Super 14s campaign for the Sharks, but he is recalled in place of Tonderai Chavangha.

Kankowski was injured during the victory over Italy, however he is expected to be fit to tour.

Notable absences from the squad, though, include tighthead prop BJ Botha and centre Gcobani Bobo.

South Africa squad - Backs: Bolla Conradie, Jean de Villiers, Peter Grant, Butch James, Conrad Jantjes, Adrian Jacobs, Enrico Januarie, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn.
Forwards: Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Bismarck du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, John Smit (captain), Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson.

Comments (4)

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Jon-marc Meyer says...

Why not put Ruan Pienaar at scrum half Look how he played for The Sharks.

Posted 08:59 2nd July 2008

Guy Woodeson says...

What happened to Tonderai Chavhanga? He was arguably one of the best wingers in the Super 14 and in the two tests against Wales he barely got the ball but also did nothing wrong! give him the and he's the same as Habana: give him any space and he exploit you, a harsh call from de Villiers.

Posted 08:51 27th June 2008

Jacques Rousseau says...

Altough Percy Montgomery had a wonderful world cup, I think he's past his sell by date! Hang up the boots old man!! Make space for some one new.Jantjes played well against Wales with room for improvement.South Africa needs a "playmaker" in the back, Steyn might be that guy but he does silly things at the best of times and he's deffinatly not a centre.They also need a more solid defence- there are better and bigger centres than Jacobs.Can't find any falt with the forwards,the best sellection ever!

Posted 07:55 27th June 2008

Richard Whitty says...

The team still looks strong, but what i think to be the strongest team given the selection will never be fielded... What do you think? 1.Tendai Mtawarira 2. Bismarck du Plessis 3. CJ van der Linde 4. Bakkies Botha 5. Victor Matfield 6. Schalk Burger 7. Juan Smith 8. Pierre Spies 9. Ruan Pienaar 10. Butch James 11. Bryan Habana 12. Francois Steyn 13. Jean De Villiers 14. Conrad Jantjes 15. Percy Montgomery question is whether de villiers can hold it at outside centre. Ruan and butch both former sharks, nice to have a familiar half pairing and i think Jantjes Habana and Monty can work nicely off each other at the back...

Posted 13:11 25th June 2008
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