Bismarck joins Bok camp
2007-07-31 11:42
Johannesburg - Hooker Bismarck du Plessis has been recalled with immediate effect to the Springbok camp following the unavailability of Pierre Spies, who was ruled out of the Rugby World Cup due to ill health.
According to a SA Rugby press release, in terms of the IRB rules, Du Plessis is not eligible to play for his province, the Sharks, before the end of the Rugby World Cup in France in October.
When asked why a hooker was included to replace a loose forward, chairperson of selectors, Pieter Jooste, said the squad was well covered as far as No 8 was concerned.
"We have Bobby Skinstad, Danie Rossouw and Juan Smith who can all play at No 8, and Bismarck has always been in the mix," he said.
Du Plessis, 23, made his Test debut earlier this month against Australia and will be the understudy to captain John Smit and reserve hooker Gary Botha.