The Springbok squad for the five matches that will be played ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup has been named by coach Heyneke Meyer and the South African selectors, and there are a few surprises in the side.
The inclusion of eight uncapped players in the team, along with the return of six players completes the squad of 36, while Meyer has also mentioned 13 players who are currently unavailable through injury, but who could still be considered depending on their rehabilitation.
The players that were announced by the national selectors will be involved in pre-World Cup fixtures against the World XV, as well as Castle Lager Rugby Championship matches and a game against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
The uncapped players who have been included in the squad are Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel, Franco Mostert, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Rudy Paige and Lionel Mapoe.
Meanwhile, Elton Jantjies, Frans Steyn, Jaque Fourie, Heinrich Brüssow, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Heinke van der Merwe have also been added to the squad, after not representing the Springboks in any matches last year.
The conditioning squad of 13 extra players who are currently injured include a number of Bok veterans and the South African skipper.
They include Springbok captain Jean de Villiers, Mapoe, Brussow, Du Toit, Steyn, Coenie Oosthuizen, Lood de Jager, Duane Vermeulen, Cobus Reinach, Pat Lambie, Jaque Fourie, Jan Serfontein and Fourie du Preez.
The Springboks will therefore go into the 2015 test season with a squad of 49 players at Meyer’s disposal.
SPRINGBOK SQUAD
Forwards: Willem Alberts, Schalk Brits, Schalk Burger, Marcell Coetzee, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Victor Matfield, Teboho Mohoje, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Scarra Ntubeni, Trevor Nyakane, Adriaan Strauss, Heinke van der Merwe, Marcel van der Merwe, Warren Whiteley.
Backs: Damian De Allende, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, Bryan Habana, Cornal Hendricks, Zane Kirchner, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Lwazi Mvovo, Rudy Paige, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Handre Pollard, Morne Steyn.
Injured/Conditioning squad: Heinrich Brüssow, Lood de Jager, Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jaque Fourie, Patrick Lambie, Lionel Mapoe, Coenie Oosthuizen, Cobus Reinach, Jan Serfontein, Frans Steyn, Duane Vermeulen.
