De Villiers's Bok surprises?

2008-05-11 22:13

Johannesburg - Controversial Stormers flanker Luke Watson could be a surprise choice in the Springbok squad to be named on Saturday.

Watson could be one of two main surprises in the 45-man squad named by Springbok coach Peter de Villiers on Saturday, a report has claimed.

The other would be Bulls reserve hooker Bandise Maku, who last year toured with the Emerging Boks to Romania and is a former SA Under-21 player.

The expected "surprises" were claimed in Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag.

Watson, who was controversially added to the Springbok squad last year against the wishes of then Springbok coach Jake White, caused a massive controversy at the time when the rest of the team refused to accept him.

Watson played one Test against Samoa, where after he was not chosen again as White's Boks went on to win the World Cup in France in October.

Now with new coach Peter de Villiers at the helm, Sondag claimed that Watson would be a certainty for a 45-man squad to be named next weekend.

The newspaper also predicted that Maku - who has only played a handful of games this year because of Chilibou Ralepelle's injury - would be the third hooker behind Bismarck du Plessis and captain John Smit.

De Villiers would also not be bringing back exile Butch James from Bath but is considering a return for Percy Montgomery alongside Victor Matfield and Smit as the only three foreign based players to be considered.

- SAPA