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Four new Boks for June tests

Brad Morgan

28 May 2008

Four uncapped players have been named in the Springbok squad of 30 for three tests in June, two against Six Nations champions Wales, and the third against Italy, who are coached by former Bok coach Nick Mallett.

The squad is the first selected under Peter de Villiers, who has taken over the SA coaching hot seat from Rugby World Cup winner Jake White.

'The Beast'

The newcomers include Zimbabwean-born props Tendai "the Beast" Mtawarira and Brian Mujati, Sharks' winger Odwa Ndungane, and lock Andries Bekker, the son of former Springbok lock Hennie Bekker. Based on the form the four showed in the Super 14, their selections are well deserved.

It's been quite a rise to the top for 22-year-old Mtawarira, who played prop at Super 14 level for the first time last season, having previously played at eighthman. His background as a loose forward reveals itself in his impressive work rate around the field, which has endeared him to fans throughout the Super 14; every time he touches the ball, guttural yells of "Beast" are heard around the ground.

Mujati, who moved from the Lions to the Stormers in the off-season, helped bring about a positive change in the Cape Town side's scrimmaging, which had for some time been viewed as the Stormers' weakness. In the recently completed Super 14 season, they fronted up well to the opposition as Rassie Erasmus' charges improved dramatically to finish fifth on the table.

Ndungane, whose brother Akona was a member of the South African Rugby World Cup winning squad, excelled for the Sharks in a season in which the Durban franchise's backline failed to fire. He finished with six tries, which was one less than his brother, who was, ironically, not selected.

Pietersen omitted

Sharp finishing and steady defensive play also earned Ndungane a call-up ahead of his Sharks, teammate JP Pietersen, who was a member of the World Cup winning Boks, but who, incredibly, failed to score a single try during the Super 14.

Andries Bekker was consistently outstanding in the Stormers, second row, excelling in the lineouts, as well as getting through a mountain of work around the field. It won't be long before people stop referring to him as the son of Hennie Bekker.

JP Pietersen was the only World Cup final starter not to crack the nod. Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez, and Jaque Fourie missed out because of injury, while World Cup final reserves Johan Muller, Wynand Olivier were omitted. Wikus van Heerden was sidelined by a knee injury and long-term injury victim Andre Pretorius went uninvited along with prop Jannie du Plessis.

Surprise selections

There were some surprise selections too. Scrumhalf Bolla Conradie hardly featured for the Stormers where he played behind Ricky Januarie, while Adrian Jacobs was seldom a starter for the Sharks, although he invariably added some spark to the team's backline when he came onto the field.

Luke Watson, a controversial selection in 2007 for a test against Samoa after interference from SA Rugby Union President Oregan Hoskins, was included, but few would argue about the body of his work in the Super 14. He excelled, playing mostly at eighthman, for the Stormers.

It seems the selectors – Peter de Villiers, Ian McIntosh and Peter Jooste – liked what they saw from the Stormers' backs more than any other South African Super 14 side. They included seven of them, with Gcobani Bobo another somewhat surprising choice. Although he played steadily, he lacks in the pace department, something which cannot be said of his teammate Tonderai Chavanga, a real flyer and also another Zimbabwean-born player.

Forwards

The Sharks and the Bulls lead the way among the 16 forwards selected with four each. Evidence of the Sharks' front row strength could be seen in the selections of Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, and BJ Botha.

One of the most interesting choices the selectors will have to make will be between Sharks' eighthman Ryan Kankowski and Bulls' number-eight Pierre Spies.

The dynamic Kankowski was for many observers one of the most - if not the most - outstanding player of the Super 14. Spies, meanwhile, was the incumbent leading into the Rugby World Cup before he was forced to the sidelines after blood clots were found in his lungs. After returning to action part way through the Super 14, he showed signs of returning to the form that won him wide praise and Springbok colours.

Overseas-based players

There are four overseas-based players in the 30-man squad. John Smit has been included as captain, while the Springboks' all-time leading points' scorer Percy Montgomery brings his big match temperament and calm to the fullback position.

Victor Matfield, the player of the match in the World Cup final, and the man many regard as the best lineout forward in rugby is also in, as is flyhalf Butch James, who was a revelation at the World Cup and a crucial factor in South Africa's success.

Ten players from the Stormers have been included, eight from the Sharks, five from the Bulls, two from the Cheetahs, and only Joe van Niekerk from the Lions.

Springbok door not shut

"It wasn't easy cutting down the squad to 30, and that is how it should always be," said De Villiers. "A lot of guys put up their hands and I want to make it clear that the Springbok door is not shut to anyone.

"The squad was picked entirely on merit, and every player named deserves his spot. I congratulate them all and look forward to the challenges of Wales and Italy that are now upon us."

Selectors Peter Jooste and Ian McIntosh said they felt it was a "well balanced squad, with the right mix of youth and experience".

SPRINGBOK SQUAD

Backs

Gcobani Bobo, Tonderai Chavhanga, Bolla Conradie, Jean de Villiers, Peter Grant, Bryan Habana, Adrian Jacobs, Butch James, Conrad Jantjes, Ricky Januarie, Percy Montgomery, Odwa Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar and Francois Steyn

Forwards

Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, BJ Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (c), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthrö Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Joe van Niekerk and Luke Watson