Breyton Paulse

Springbok legend Breyton Paulse was given the honour of carrying the SA flag ahead of Saturday’s third and final Springboks v Wales Test. Photo:
Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Breyton Paulse names his unluckiest Springbok omission

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber on Saturday announced a 43-man national squad for the upcoming international season.

Breyton Paulse

Springbok legend Breyton Paulse was given the honour of carrying the SA flag ahead of Saturday’s third and final Springboks v Wales Test. Photo:
Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber on Saturday announced a 43-man national squad for the upcoming international season.

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That season will kick off with a three-Test home series against Wales before the Rugby Championship gets under way in August.

The Springboks’ international season will conclude with an end-of-year tour to Europe which will likely include three SA ‘A’ matches.

For that reason, Nienaber named as many as 43 players, far more than the Wallabies – who selected 35 – and the All Blacks (36) for their upcoming mid-year series’ against England and Ireland, respectively.

The Springbok squad features eight debutants.

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Former Springbok wing Breyton Paulse took to social media on Monday to make mention of the ‘very strong Bok squad’ and ask his over 72 000 followers who the ‘unluckiest omission’ was.

Paulse indicated that in his opinion that player was Madosh Tambwe.

However, there’s some confusion over whether DR Congo-born Tambwe is even officially a South African such have been his troubles with his passport in recent years.

Paulse, now 46, played 64 Tests for the Springboks scoring 26 tries.

The Springbok squad breakdown makes for interesting reading.

While we know that certain players will be on the move come the end of the season, as it currently stands the Sharks have 10 representatives, the Stormers nine and the Bulls just four.

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There were no Lions players selected, nor any recognition for three of the four Currie Cup semi-finalists (Cheetahs, Pumas and Griquas).

As many as 20 players selected currently play their rugby abroad for as many as 16 different teams.

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SPRINGBOK SQUAD

Props: Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (Stormers), Vincent Koch (Saracens), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Sharks) *, Ox Nche (Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92)

Hookers: Joseph Dweba (Bordeaux), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks)

Locks: Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks), Eben Etzebeth (Toulon), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers) *, Ruan Nortje (Bulls) *, Marvin Orie (Stormers)

Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Marcell Coetzee (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls) *, Evan Roos (Stormers) *, Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Júbilo), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)

Utility forwards: Rynhardt Elstadt (Toulouse), Deon Fourie (Stormers) *, Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks), Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks) *

Flyhalves: Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes), Handre Pollard (Montpellier)

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Damian de Allende (Munster), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)

Outside Backs: Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Warrick Gelant (Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)

Utility Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls) *, Damian Willemse (Stormers)

* denotes uncapped

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