South Africa included 12 of the starting line-up that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup in a preliminary squad named Monday for the defence of the title in New Zealand this year.
The missing Springbok trio are fullback Percy Montgomery and loosehead prop Os du Randt, who have retired after long, distinguished careers, and tighthead prop CJ van der Linde, who was overlooked by coach Peter de Villiers.
Backs JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Francois Steyn, Bryan Habana, Butch James, and Fourie du Preez and forwards John Smit, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Danie Rossouw and Juan Smith are the final survivors.
South Africa defeated England 15-6 in a decider settled by penalty kicks.
It was the second World Cup title for South Africa, who pipped New Zealand 15-12 after extra time in a 1995 final famous for the appearance of President Nelson Mandela in a replica jersey of that worn by captain Francois Pienaar.
South Africa and fellow southern hemisphere giants Australia and New Zealand are favourites for the quadrennial tournament that will be staged between September 9 and October 23 in New Zealand.
Bulls wing Bjorn Basson, a shock omission from the second of two recent training camps as he is joint leading try scorer with nine this season in the Super 15 championship, was among 21 backs called up.
There has been no official explanation for his absence from a Durban camp amid media speculation that it could have been a disciplinary reaction to him oversleeping and missing a photo shoot during a Cape Town camp.
Cheetahs scrum-half Sarel Pretorius and Stormers fly-half Peter Grant impressed during the Super Rugby season and must have hoped to at least make the preliminary cut.
Livewire Pretorius shares top spot on the try scorers charts with Basson while Grant marked his return from an ankle injury with 24 points for Super 15 semi-finalists Stormers in a league win against the Cheetahs last weekend.
There was also no space for Zimbabwe-born former Stormers tighthead Brian Mujati despite consistently good displays for English Premiership club Northampton.
Steyn from Paris club Racing Metro is one of four ‘exiles’ included with Ruan Pienaar, who can fill either half-back role, tighthead BJ Botha and lock Johann Muller from Irish province Ulster completing that list.
© AFP 2012Squad:
Backs: Gio Aplon, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Ricky Januarie, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (all Western Stormers), Bjorn Basson, Francois Hougaard, Zane Kirchner, Wynand Olivier, Fourie du Preez, Morne Steyn (all Northern Bulls), Adrian Jacobs, Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen (all Coastal Sharks), Butch James, Elton Jantjies (both Golden Lions), Ruan Pienaar (Ulster/NIR), Francois Steyn (Racing Metro/FRA)Forwards: Willem Alberts, Alistair Hargreaves, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, John Smit (capt) (all Sharks), Andries Bekker, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw, Duane Vermeulen (all Stormers), Bakkies Botha, Dean Greyling, Werner Kruger, Victor Matfield (vice-capt), Flip van der Merwe, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp, Deon Stegmann (all Bulls), BJ Botha, Johann Muller (both Ulster/NIR), Heinrich Brussow, Ashley Johnson, Coenie Oosthuizen, Juan Smith, Adriaan Strauss (all Central Cheetahs)
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June 21st 2011 @ 7:12am
Rusty said | June 21st 2011 @ 7:12am | Report comment
Some decent players in that mix
June 21st 2011 @ 8:30am
Shaun said | June 21st 2011 @ 8:30am | Report comment
Just as well SA rugby doesn’t have an administration like NZRU running the show for them. If they did, the Boks would be near unstoppable with the talent they could nurture and choose from. Just sheer numbers would blow most nations out of the water.
The rest of the world can be very grateful that SA have “real” talents like PDivy running the show over there!
June 21st 2011 @ 11:34am
Gary Russell-Sharam said | June 21st 2011 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Try as I might I just can’t see how John Smit can be chosen in the WC squad as the captain. His form is not good he has been usurped by Du Plessis and Chilli boy as a hooker and there are probably 6 props in front of him that play better than he does. I grant he is a great captain and inspirational leader but there comes a time where you just have to move on. The same can be said for Matfield but not as harshly. The SA’s are brimming with talent and have huge numbers to choose from. Another example is the selection of Ricky January at HB instead of the in form other HBs playing super rugby. All three of these players are just over the hill. I am not criticizing these players as to their wonderful careers but only in the light of the level of competition that they are in. This is the pinnacle level of rugby and these players while they might have another year or so at Super level they have slipped down at the test level. Even at Super level they are now struggling. PDV must have some clout in top circle, these selections do seem to be very political rather than picked on form.
June 21st 2011 @ 1:50pm
JB said | June 21st 2011 @ 1:50pm | Report comment
Agree with GRS. Especially after the incredible pace of the Bulls Stormers match where Smit was simply an observer. Smit somehow has managed to instill some level of discipline into the boks which, given the Bulls Stormers match, is slowly filtering through. Without Smit, the boks are a chance. With him, this is bad for the boks, but good for NZ (possible semi finals).
June 21st 2011 @ 6:24pm
Gerhard van Lamp said | June 21st 2011 @ 6:24pm | Report comment
He’ll probably play half of most games.In Sa we’re feeling pretty optimtic.The depth is actually a little silly!
June 21st 2011 @ 7:08pm
TommyTucker said | June 21st 2011 @ 7:08pm | Report comment
What a hoot with John Smit being selected, as a saffa Im ashamed as he is the 3rd best hooker in the country and the 6-8th best prop. He has won a RWC, put your feet up and retire peacefully. While the Bulls and Sharks were knocking lumps out of each other, he was warming the bench – says volumes. Dont get me started on Ricky Januarie, i dont have enough time/space. Unbelievable that Sarel Pretorius doesnt get a squad call up, top try scorer in Super 15, total handful – what more do you have to do? Glad to see the Bulls go out, with thier relentless bloody kicking, box kicks and up and unders, its no wonder the Sharks beat them – Morne Steyn kicked all their possession away!!
Starting line up for the Boks in my opinion
15. frans steyn
14. JP Petersen
11. Gio Aplon
13. Jaque Fourie
12. Jean d Villers
10 M Steyn (if he can stop kicking possession away)
9 Du Preez (should be Sarel Pretorius)
8 Willem Alberts
Openside: Heinrich Brussow (if fit) otherwise S.Burger
Blindside: Juan Smith or S.Burger (if brussow is fit then Burger)
5. V. Matfield
4. Adries Bekker
3. BJ Botha
2. Bismarck
1. The Beast
June 22nd 2011 @ 9:39am
Rusty said | June 22nd 2011 @ 9:39am | Report comment
Pretty decent lineup there TT.. I would make a few changes, some controversial for the first Tri-Nations but it is about balance and then go from there for the WC
15. Aplon – its his best position
14. JP – running into his best form
13. Fourie – nuff said
12. F Steyn – this is where he has been playing for almost 2 seasons in France. Lets see how he goes
11. Basson – speed to burn and x-factor
10. Lambie – The future.
9. Du Preez – he has been off his game quite a bit but forget the kicking and watch the Bulls/Sharks game for the short flat passing that he delivers. Magical
8. Spies – I would prefer Vermuelen but I surprise myself here and say he looked pretty good last week
7. Burger – workrate has been unbelievable and is hitting his straps at the right time
6. Brussouw – the guy is class but will need a few matches to wind up to speed
5. Matfield – the old dog still knows a few tricks
4. Bekker – Matfield v 2.0
3. Werner Kruger – best SA Super rugby tighthead
2. Bismarck – world class
1. Coenie Oosthuizen – been very very impressed but needs to get that massive frame a little lower in the scrums
Bench:
16. Beast – LH cover
17. J Smit – TH/Hooker cover
18. F Louw – will need to replace Brussouw who will be short of match fitness.
19. D Rossouw – covers Lock/Blind/8
20. M Steyn – covers 10
21. Hougaard – covers 9/wing
22. de jongh – covers centre
June 22nd 2011 @ 9:47am
Rusty said | June 22nd 2011 @ 9:47am | Report comment
Would then rotate the starting lineup and bench to include Juan, Alberts, Bakkies, Flip, Elton, Mvovo, JdV, Strauss
June 22nd 2011 @ 9:50am
Gary Russell-Sharam said | June 22nd 2011 @ 9:50am | Report comment
That’s the thing Tommy Tucker and Rusty yuo both have picked great sides emphasizing what I say regarding the depth of SA rugby. Sarel Pretorius should be in the squad instead of January, this selection of January is a travesty of justice.
June 22nd 2011 @ 9:59am
Rusty said | June 22nd 2011 @ 9:59am | Report comment
No argument there… Sarel may play a bit loose but he brings an extra edge with that unpredictability and we could do with a little of that. I suppose the other thing we are overlooking is if Ruan Pienaar is in the squad as a 9. In which case he brings alot of the elusive running that Sarel brings with the more educated boot and test experience. That would probably mean the pecking orders is du Preez, Hougaard, Pienaar, Januarie with the 2nd and 3rd bringing utility value
June 22nd 2011 @ 11:30am
Gary Russell-Sharam said | June 22nd 2011 @ 11:30am | Report comment
I hear what you say Rusty but IMO Pienaar has lost a little bit in recent times. I don’t think he is the man he once was. How lucky is SA rugby to have a player like Rossouw to come off the bench when one of your back row get tired he would probably start in any other franchise team.
June 22nd 2011 @ 1:04pm
Rusty said | June 22nd 2011 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
I havent had the pleasure to see him play in the NH but from what I have heard he has been going well. Stand to be corrected of course. As for Danie – seriously underrated and under the radar player who has delivered all that is asked of him and more. Has often been our premier inform lock and found himself on the pine without a quibble. The Bulls and Boks are going to seriously miss him next year.
June 22nd 2011 @ 1:23pm
Jiggles said | June 22nd 2011 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
It is a great squad baring the obvious as mentioned above. It will be the tactics and coach, unfortunately, that will let down this team, arguably the strongest of all the nations.
Lambie over Steyn at 5-8 will be a key. Lambie is better suited to unleashing some very elusive outside backs or picking the moments when the gain line needs to be broken first through JdV and Fourie.
June 22nd 2011 @ 3:44pm
TommyTucker said | June 22nd 2011 @ 3:44pm | Report comment
@ Rusty and G R-S
thats a pretty good team too Rusy and as Gary RS mentions it shows the depth in the squad at the moment – now it just depends on the tactics. I agree too you have to for Lambie as he is the future. The problem for him is that his last game for the Sharks was at full back and he played really really well but missed a few goal kicks. This will make the selectors pick M Steyn at 10 as he is a more reliable goal kicker and use Lambie on the bench to cover 10,12 and 15 if need be. You could also argue having Lambie at 15 instead of Aplon but I think Aplon has the upper hand on pace or stepping. Basson is a good option considering M Steyn will probably be the 10 and he does kick a lot of up and unders – Basson is excellent chasing the high ball.
To be honest I havent been watching Frans Steyn in the french league so I dont know what his form is like at 12 but leaving Jean De Villers out will be a tough call, one could also argue that Juan de Jongh should have a go as he has had an excellent super 15. Interesting about Ruan Pienaar, I havent seen him either but I think he will be dropped when the squad slims down. If Zane Kirshner gets picked at 15, I might have a hernia, it amazes me he is a capped springbok, no speed and no step. With teams clearing defensive kicks from their goal lines, you need 15′s who can attack the line very well. E,g Christien Cullen style.
Spies for me doesnt derserve to be picked at 8 due to his utter lack of form th whole season, in the last game he had a couple of runs but I think Alberts and Kankoski have a better shout. Coenie is also a great shout, however I think he needs to watch his discipline around the park as he leaks plenty of penalties, but his mobility is awesome.
I think P de Villiers should experiment a bit in the Tri Nations because to be honest no one cares about the Tri nations in a RWC year and most squads will be resting players. I think Burger, Matfield, Bekker and Bismark should be rested during the Trinations.
June 22nd 2011 @ 4:03pm
Rusty said | June 22nd 2011 @ 4:03pm | Report comment
Im with you on all that. The incoming tours and tri-Nations will be our last chance to see if something works or not and hence the experimentation in my lineup.
I agree about Spies – he is closed down too often to get going and is often stripped of the ball because he runs too upright. My number 8 would be Vermuelen because he is more 80min than Alberts and offers a genuine lineout option at the back. Like Alberts he carries very well but offers more finesse than the power of Alberts and has excellent defense which is something we cant say about Spies. Alberts for mine makes a superb power sub. Unfrotunately it looks doubtful Duane will make the tri-nations and for that matter his RWC is pretty much out of the window. So realistically that leaves us with Alberts, Spies, Kanko, Danie and Johnson vying for the back of the scrum spot. Johnson would have to be on the outer and Danie is more utility/bench. So its Alberts, Spies and Kanko with the final decision I think being determined by Juan Smith. If he makes it back then it will concentrate the remaining loosie spots. Alberts I think will make it as he offers more utility. So straight shoot out between Kanko and Spies. Neither I think have delivered the goods this year, Kankos injury hasnt helped him and I think he will simply lose out for not getting enough game time/exposure and the fact Spies MIGHT suddenly deliver on his potential