Evan Roos in action for the Springboks. Photo: SA Rugby website
REMINDER: When the Springbok and SA ‘A’ squads will be named
There are sure to be a few surprises when both the Bok squad, and an extended South Africa A travelling group, is named this week.
Evan Roos in action for the Springboks. Photo: SA Rugby website
The national coaches will name a 34-man Springbok squad this Friday, 28 October as well as a SA ‘A’ squad of 20 other players, as they embark on the year-end tour consisting of four Tests and two midweek matches in November.
The Boks will play consecutive Tests against Ireland in Dublin on 5 November, France in Marseille on 12 November, Italy in Genoa on 19 November and England in London on 26 November on the Outgoing Tour. The SA ‘A’ team, coached by Mzwandile Stick, will face Munster on Thursday, 10 November, and the Bristol Bears a week later on 17 November.
REPORT: JANTJIES CHECKED HIMSELF IN FOR ‘DRUG REHAB’
Over the past few days the Stormers trio of Manie Libbok, Sacha Mngomezulu and Evan Roos were able to join the Bok training camp in Stellenbosch on their return from Wales following their United Rugby Championship tour. Meanwhile, Bulls flyhalf Johan Goosen and Elrigh Louw were not able to form part of the camp.
Goosen is in the return to training stages after suffering concussion, while Louw suffered an ankle injury during Friday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Benetton. The Bulls flyhalf could still be available for the tour, but Louw has been ruled out.
ALSO READ | BULLS WIN COMES WITH AN INJURY COST FOR BOKS
The Bok team will soon head overseas
With a large group of players set to be named for the two squads next week, Erasmus said it made sense to give the Stormers trio an opportunity to train with the squad before returning to the Cape side to prepare for their United Rugby Championship clash against the Lions on Saturday.
“We are naming a group of 54 players next week for the Springbok and SA ‘A’ squads so it made sense for us to us to invite these players, especially since they will be in Cape Town anyway and have time off,” said Erasmus.
“Evan is a capped Springbok, while Manie and Sacha will be exposed to the national set-up for the first time, and although it is a short camp, this will be ab invaluable experience for them. We are excited to see how they slot into the system and what they can do on the field.”
Erasmus explained the decision to exclude Goosen from the training group.
“Johan is recovering from concussion, and given the strict return to play protocols, he will not be able to participate fully in this camp, hence we decided it would be best for him to remain at the Bulls this week and start preparing for their URC game on Sunday.
“Fortunately, he attended our alignment camp earlier in the year and he knows our structures and systems well. It’s a pity that Elrigh is injured but he has been with us for a while and is very familiar with our structures, and we’ll keep an eye on the extent of his injury, although it doesn’t appear that he will be available for selection.”
The training squad have been at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport since Sunday, with the three-day camp running until Wednesday.
ALSO READ | ELTON JANTJIES OUT, ZEENAT SIMJEE RETURNS
