Saru Names Preliminary Bok Squad

BuaNews (Tshwane)

Kemantha Govender

20 June 2011

Durban — South Africa has a better idea of what its World Cup squad could look like after the South African Rugby Union (SARU) on Monday named its preliminary Springbok squad of 49 players.

The final Rugby World Cup squad of 30 will be named on August 23 but a preliminary squad had to be given to the International Rugby Board as part of a requirement of Rugby World Cup planning.

The final squad can contain players outside the names listed on Monday.

For now though, 21 of the 2007 Rugby World Cup winners were among those named.

Captain John Smit and vice-captain Victor Matfield were joined by some new faces including: Bulls loosehead prop Dean Greyling and the Ulster duo of Johann Muller (lock) and BJ Botha (tighthead prop).

The squad includes six uncapped players and four who are based at European clubs.

“I’m very happy with the squad,” said Coach Peter de Villiers. “We have got a good blend of youth and experience as well as including some uncapped players, who have forced their way into contention for selection with their performances in Super Rugby.

“Our planning is at an advanced stage for the international season and the vast majority of these players have attended one or both of our planning camps.

“Our Castle Tri-Nations squad will be drawn from this group once we have been able to sort out those players who are carrying injuries at the end of the Vodacom Super Rugby competition.”

The Springbok squad for the Castle Tri-Nations will be named on July 2 or 9 (depending on South African involvement in the Vodacom Super Rugby final).

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