Bok squad: Brits gets the boot

2008-07-28 18:28

Johannesburg - The national rugby selectors have added Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie and Jongi Nowke to the 30-man Springbok squad (15 forwards and 15 backs) for the Mandela Tribute Test and the remaining Vodacom Tri-Nations matches.

Cheetahs hooker Adriaan Strauss who was flown to New Zealand after an injury to captain John Smit, the suspension for Bismarck du Plessis and as back-up for WP's Schalk Brits remains in the squad as hooker, while Brits drops out.

Du Preez and Fourie, both members of the 2007 World Cup-winning Springbok team, missed the previous six Springbok Tests this year due to injury.

Vodacom Free State Cheetahs wing Nokwe, a member of the initial expanded Springbok training squad, also received a recall to the squad.

The Springboks assemble on Wednesday morning in Pretoria where they will stay until Sunday, before transferring to Johannesburg to continue with their preparations for the Mandela Tribute Test against Argentina on August 9 in Johannesburg.

Springbok hooker and captain, John Smit, was not considered due to injury. Smit will continue with his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Springbok medical and conditioning staff.

The squad:

The Springbok squad for the Mandela Tribute Test and the Vodacom Tri-Nations:

Backs (in alphabetical order according to first names):

Adrian Jacobs (The Sharks), Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls), Butch James (The Sharks), Conrad Jantjes (Western Province), Enrico Januarie (Western Province), Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls), Francois Steyn (The Sharks), Jaque Fourie (Lions), Jean de Villiers (Western Province), Jongi Nokwe (Free State Cheetahs), JP Pietersen (The Sharks), Odwa Ndungane (The Sharks), Percy Montgomery (Western Province), Peter Grant (Western Province), Ruan Pienaar (The Sharks)

Forwards:

Adriaan Strauss (Free State Cheetahs), Andries Bekker (Western Province), Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls), Bismarck du Plessis (The Sharks), Brian Mujati (Western Province), CJ van der Linde (Free State Cheetahs), Gurthro Steenkamp (Blue Bulls), Joe van Niekerk (Lions), Juan Smith (Free State Cheetahs), Luke Watson (Western Province), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls), Ryan Kankowski (The Sharks), Schalk Burger (Western Province), Tendai Mtawarira (The Sharks), Victor Matfield (Blue Bulls)

Not considered due to injury: John Smit (The Sharks)

- SAPA