samedi 28 mai 2016

Boks call up nine uncapped players for Ireland

South Africa have called up nine uncapped players for their three-Test series against Ireland.

The Springboks are without a host of players due to Sevens and injuries while Ruan Pienaar has ruled himself out of contention for the June matches.

New Boks coach Allister Coetzee has used their unavailability to blood a number of fresh faces with fly-half Garth April the headline inclusion.

The uncapped players who have forced their way into the Springbok squad are April (fly-half), Ruan Combrinck (wing), Faf de Klerk (scrum-half), Nic Groom (scrum-half), Steven Kitshoff (prop), Jaco Kriel (flanker), Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (flanker) and Scarra Ntubeni (hooker).

The following group were ruled out of the tour: JC Janse van Rensburg, Sti Sithole, Marcell Coetzee, CJ Velleman, Chris Cloete, Thembelani Bholi, Schalk Burger, Cobus Reinach, Jano Vermaak, Elgar Watts, Robert du Preez, Kurt Coleman, Handré Pollard, Harold Vorster, Cornal Hendricks, Andries Coetzee, Dillyn Leyds, Jaco van der Walt all miss out through injuries or illness while Francois Hougaard, Bryan Habana, Juan de Jongh, Seabelo Senatla, Cheslin Kolbe, Warrick Gelant and Siviwe Soyizwapi are all on Sevens duty.

"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. "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."

South Africa are yet to name their captain for the three Tests against Ireland.

South Africa squad:

Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Jaco Kriel, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Scarra Ntubeni, Trevor Nyakane, Julian Redelinghuys, Adriaan Strauss, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley

Backs: Garth April, Ruan Combrinck, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Nic Groom, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Patrick Lambie, Willie le Roux, Lionel Mapoe, Lwazi Mvovo, Rudy Paige, JP Pietersen, Jan Serfontein

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Boks call up nine uncapped players for Ireland

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