PETER DE Villiers claims more than 12 shortlisted players failed to make South Africa’s final squad for the three-match Test series against the Lions.
The Springbok coach yesterday included just two uncapped players in his 28-man list that will face the tourists, but there were still plenty of questions raised as to who will occupy the critical full-back role.
The two new faces – Earl Rose and Morne Steyn – are just two of the candidates to fill the void created by the season-ending injury to Conrad Jantjes.
Golden Lions number 15 Rose was part of the Springbok squad that toured Europe at the end of last year, while Bulls outhalf Steyn earns his place after an outstanding 2009 Super 14 campaign in which he helped his franchise lift the title on Saturday.
“I’m really excited with the opportunity that lies ahead for these players,” De Villiers said. “It was very difficult and tough to leave some players out of this squad.
“I know of more than 12 players that easily could have been in this side. But I do feel that this is the best group we could have put together.
“I think we do have a few brilliant players in the squad that have played in that (fullback) position already. I’m not sure how or in what way you qualify as a recognised rugby player, but we do have a few options.
“If you look at a guy like JP Pietersen, he’s played there for the Sharks. I think Morne himself is very good at fullback – Jaque Fourie, he’s done it for years with his province and South Africa too there. Also, Francois Steyn can play there. So we’ve got a few guys and I think it’s really a good squad.”
The team, which will be led by veteran captain John Smit, includes 10 players from the Bulls’ victorious Super 14 squad and 25 members of the party that toured Wales, Scotland and England at the end of last year.
It also includes Deon Carstens and Wynand Olivier, both of whom last played for the national team in 2007, while Ruan Pienaar and utility back Frans Steyn, who have been recovering from injury in recent weeks, are also named.
SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD:Backs: J de Villiers (Stormers), F du Preez (Bulls), J Fourie (Lions), B Habana (Bulls), A Jacobs (Sharks), E Januarie (Stormers), O Ndungane (Sharks), J Nokwe (Cheetahs), W Olivier (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), E Rose (Lions), F Steyn (Sharks), M Steyn (Bulls). Forwards: J Smit (Sharks), V Matfield (Bulls), A Bekker (Stormers), B Botha (Bulls), S Burger (Stormers), D Carstens (Sharks), B du Plessis (Sharks), R Kankowski (Sharks), T Mtawarira (Sharks), C Ralepelle (Bulls), D Rossouw (Bulls), J Smith (Cheetahs), P Spies (Bulls), G Steenkamp (Bulls).
