 Schalk Burger will be a big loss to the South Africa back row |
Schalk Burger and Jacque Fourie have joined fellow South Africa World Cup winner Fourie du Preez as injury absentees for Wales' two-Test tour. Flanker Burger and centre Fourie have knee ligament damage, while scrum-half du Preez has a fractured hand. Saracens-bound loose-forward Wikus Van Heerden is out after knee surgery. Bulls scrum-half Heini Adams is struggling with a bruised hand, Bolla Conradie called into the 41-man training squad as cover.  | 606: DEBATE |
Bulls full-back Zane Kirchner and dynamic Cheetahs loose forward Duanne Vermeulen will be unavailable for the Wales Tests. Winger Tonderai Chavangha (hamstring) and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle (knee) will have to pass fitness tests in the coming days to be considered for the Wales series. New Springboks head coach Pieter de Villiers will confirm his final squad of 30 for the Tests on Wednesday. Overseas-based John Smit, Victor Matfield, Butch James and Percy Montgomery are all included in the extended party. Uncapped players include Western Province fly-half Isma-eel Dollie, a 23-year-old who has played for his country at all junior levels. Sharks players are omitted due to Super 14 semi-final commitments. | It's a nice blend of youth and experience |
De Villiers will decide which of their players to include when their interest in the tournament is over. "I want to emphasise 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 competition. "I want to build on what we've achieved over the last four years up to the World Cup, I think it's a nice blend of youth and experience." Newcomers include Adams, Gerhard Mostert, Andries Bekker, Schalk Brits, Brian Mujati, Duane Vermeulen, Zane Kirchner, Louis Ludik and Earl Rose. There are recalls after lengthy absences for Conrad Jantjes, Meyer Bosman, Jonghi Nokwe, Gcobani Bobo, Chavangha, Kabamba Floors, Hilton Lobberts, Ralepelle, Pierre Spies and Joe van Niekerk. South Africa face Grand Slam champions Wales in Bloemfontein on 7 June and in Pretoria a week later.
Springboks training squad - Backs: Heini Adams, Gcobani Bobo, Meyer Bosman, Tonderai Chavhanga, Jean de Villiers, Isma-eel Dollie, Bolla Conradie, 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, Wian du Preez, Kabamba Floors, Hilton Lobberts, Victor Matfield, Bryan Mujati, Gerhard Mostert, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (capt), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthrö Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Heinke van der Merwe, Joe van Niekerk, Duane Vermeulen, Luke Watson Note: Coastal Sharks players must still be added
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