De Villiers announces first Bok squad

Saturday 17th May 2008

Peter de Villiers confirmed his first training squad of 42 players since taking over from Jake White as Springbok coach for the forthcoming Tests in June.

De Villiers did not announce any Sharks players in his initial training squad due to the team's participation in the Super 14 play-offs.

This was done on request from the Sharks in order to not distract their players ahead of the knock-out fixtures.

Players from the Sharks who have been selected for the squad will be announced following their side's completion of the competition.

De Villiers has included a number of players who did not compete in the Super 14 tournament in his training squad for a training camp to be held in the Cape.

De Villiers's first squad was named by South Africa Rugby president Oregan Hoskins in Durban on Saturday - including overseas-based World Cup stars John Smit, Victor Matfield, Percy Montgomery and Butch James.

In fact, De Villiers has kept the World Cup squad intact - the only absentees being retirees, Os du Randt and Bob Skinstad, the injured Andre Pretorius and Wayne Julies as well as Gary Botha, who is overseas.

Also included were Isma-eel Dollie, who played under De Villiers in the Springbok U21 side even though he was released from the Stormers' Super 14 group, Kabamba Floors - who dropped out of the Cheetahs side, Hilton Lobberts and Heini Adams, who have seen limited action with the Bulls, and Chiliboy Ralepelle, who has been recovering from a knee injury.

"I want to emphasise that this is a training squad, not a test squad," said De Villiers.

"I have selected certain players to work with them in a squad environment alongside the country's finest players, and others because I felt I had not seen enough of them during the Super 14.

"I want to congratulate all the players who were named, and I look forward to working with them all next week."

The squad assembles on Wednesday 21 May.

Backs:

Heini Adams, Gcobani Bobo, Meyer Bosman, Tonderai Chavhanga, Jean de Villiers, Isma-eel Dollie, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Peter Grant, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Enrico Januarie, Conrad Jantjes, Zane Kirchner, Louis Ludik, Percy Montgomery, Akona Ndungane, Jongi Nokwe, Wynand Olivier, Earl Rose.

Forwards:

Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Brits, Schalk Burger, Wian du Preez, Kabamba Floors, Hilton Lobberts, Victor Matfield, Gerhard Mostert, Brian Mujati, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (c), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthrö Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Heinke van der Merwe, Wikus van Heerden, Joe van Niekerk, Duanne Vermeulen, Luke Watson.