Straeuli has backed the young talent in the South African game, picking 18 uncapped players for the trial.

The former World Cup winner has chosen young stars including sevens internationals Brent Russell and Egon Seconds.

South African under-21 players Francois Swart, Clyde Rathbone and Jean de Villiers have also been selected.

"If you're good enough, you're old enough," he said of the young players.

Straeuli included 10 coloured players in the squad.

"I am happy with that number," he said, "Although I don't look at them any differently than the other players."

Missing from the list was South Africa's most capped full-back, Percy Montgomery who has said he would not play the trials if he could not be assured of a Springbok contract through the 2003 World Cup.

Montgomery joins a host of recent Springboks, including Johan Ackermann, Charl Marais, Robbie Kempson, Japie Mulder, Andre Vos and Pieter Rossouw, who have made themselves ineligible for national selection. The 22-man Springbok team to play Wales on 8 June will be named on 21 May.

Springbok trialists

Backs: De Wet Barry, Johannes Conradie, Craig Davidson, Neil de Kock, Jean de Villiers, Werner Greeff, Wylie Human, Adrian Jacobs, Conrad Jantjes, Marius Joubert, Norman Jordaan, Wayne Julies, Ricardo Loubscher, Friedrich Lombard, Breyton Paulse, Andre Pretorius, Clyde Rathbone, Brent Russell, Egon Seconds, Andre Snyman, Francois Swart, Stefan Terblanche.

Forwards: Bakkies Botha, Warren Britz, James Dalton, Quinton Davids, Delarey du Preez, Hendrik Gerber, Daan Human, Corne Krige, Jannes Labuschagne, Ollie le Roux, Hottie Louw, Victor Matfield, Willie Meyer, Faan Rautenbach, Wessel Roux, Lawrence Sephaka, Henro Scholtz, Bob Skinstad, Phillip Smit, Shaun Sowerby, Joe van Niekerk, AJ Venter, Cobus Visagie, Tjoepie van den Heever.