No surprises in Bok WC squad
Brad Morgan
23 July 2007
South Africa's squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, announced on Saturday, contains no major surprises, with Springbok coach Jake White opting for experience and continuity in selection.
Prop Os Du Randt was part of the 1995 World Cup winning team, while Percy Montgomery, Albert van den Bergh, and Bob Skinstad all played in the 1999 World Cup. Seven others, including captain John Smit, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Danie Rossouw, Bakkies Botha, and Ashwin Willemse were part of the 2003 World Cup squad.
Not long ago, the selection of Skinstad would have been the most unlikely of them all. He failed to make the 2003 squad after breaking an arm in a club rugby match, and then moved north to play for the Newport Gwent Dragons. Later, he turned out for Richmond and did television work.
Eased back into action
White, though, persuaded him to return to South African rugby in 2007. After being eased back
into action with the Sharks, he earned a Springbok recall and impressed in the green and gold to secure his World Cup place.
A comparison of the caps in the 2007 squad to those in the 2003 squad emphasises the experience of the players selected for France, with the 2007 line-up boasting 833 caps, compared to the 403 of 2003.
The selectors' toughest decisions, according to coach White, were at hooker and centre.
At hooker, it was decided to select only two players, with Smit and Gary Botha cracking the nod, while Bismarck du Plessis, the Sharks' fiery back-up to Smit, was placed on standby.
Centre decision
At centre, the selectors had to decide on who should back up Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie. It came down to a choice of either Wynand Olivier or Waylon Murray. Olivier's greater experience won out with White saying he could cover either inside or outside centre, as well as wing. He added that Olivier had performed well in
2006 when he played in all 12 Springbok tests.
In another interesting decision, the selectors opted for Andre Pretorius ahead of Derick Hougaard as the number two flyhalf behind Butch James.
The injury-prone Pretorius hasn't played any rugby since the beginning of May after tearing a hamstring. He is set to undergo treatment in Germany at the end of this month.
Opportunity
With James held out of the Springboks' away matches in the Tri-Nations competition, Hougaard was given an opportunity to convince selectors that he would be a solid second option, but he failed to do so as South Africa lost 25-17 to Australia and 33-6 to New Zealand.
White says Pretorius' experience played a big role in the decision to select him, while the fact that he has beaten both England and New Zealand also counted in his favour.
Flank Wikus van Heerden, the outstanding player in the "B-Boks" matches against the Wallabies and the All Blacks, was
also named in the squad of 30, ahead of his Blue Bulls' teammate Pedrie Wannenburg. Wannenburg didn't do himself any favours in the two tests, being sin-binned in both, which cost the Boks dearly.
Seven other players from the "B-Boks" squad were also named in the World Cup squad of 30, including Gary Botha, Skinstad, Johann Muller, Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, and Albert van den Bergh.
Versatility
The selectors opted for a split of 16 forwards and 14 backs. Although a number of players were selected for specific positions, men like Francois Steyn and Ruan Pienaar also offer the selectors the kind of versatility that would allow them to cover a number of positions.
Steyn and Percy Montgomery were chosen as the fullbacks, with Ashwin Willemse, JP Pietersen, Akona Ndungane, and Bryan Habana selected on the wings.
Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, and Wynand Oliver cracked the nod at centre, with Butch James and Andre Pretorius
named at flyhalf, and Fourie du Preez, Ricky Januarie, and Ruan Pienaar selected at scrumhalf.
Forwards
Up front, the eighthmen are Pierre Spies and Bob Skinstad, while the flanks are Schalk Burger, Danie Rossouw, Juan Smith, and Wikus van Heerden.
Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Johann Muller, and Albert van den Bergh are the locks, while BJ Botha and CJ van der Linde are the tighthead props, with Os du Randt and Gurthro Steenkamp taking care of matters on the loosehead side.
Captain John Smit and Gary Botha are the hookers.
Bismarck du Plessis (hooker), Deon Carstens (prop), Faan Rautenbach (prop), Jaques Cronje (loose forward), Waylon Murray (centre), Breyton Paulse (wing), were placed on standby.
'A proud history of rugby excellence'
South African Rugby Union President Oregan Hoskins said: "Once the tournament starts, the whole nation will be looking up to these fine young South Africans
to reflect a proud history of rugby excellence that has come to be associated with the Springboks.
"The players leave our shores with our blessings and good wishes."
South Africa opens its World Cup challenge against Samoa on 9 September in Paris. On 14 September, in Saint Denis, the Springboks tackle defending champions England.
Then, on 22 September in Lens, SA takes on Tonga, followed by their final Pool A clash against the USA in Montpellier on 30 September.
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