South Africa squad: South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has included six uncapped players in his 23-man training squad for the match against a Namibian Invitation XV in Windhoek on May 29th. Most of the names announced are likely to feature in the final squad to face the British and Irish Lions in the first Test match in Durban on June 20th.
Jean Deysel, Steven Sykes (both Sharks), Wian du Preez (Cheetahs), Morgan Newman (Western Province), Jano Vermaak and Earl Rose (both Lions) are all included in the list, which is made up of 17 Springboks.
Bulls players were not considered for selection due to their participation in the final stages of the Super 14.
The main absentees from the list are Sharks fly-half Ruan Pienaar, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, and Lions centre Jaque Fourie due to his wedding on May 30th.
De Villiers did not hide his disappointment regarding Pienaar, who was considered the coach’s preferred choice for the number 10 jersey against the Lions, but remains hopeful that he will be fit.
“Ruan is expected to be out for about three weeks and we will closely monitor his progress,” he said of the 25-year-old, who was injured against the Bulls at the weekend.
“I am hoping that he will be fit to play in the first Test against the Lions in Durban but we are fortunate in that we have adequate cover in the flyhalf position if it is required.”
However, the coach is still confident he has assembled the best possible team.
He added: “Without the opportunity of a few warm-up games we must ensure that we get the most out of this match, regardless of the fact that some players are not in attendance.
“After this match we will assemble a Springbok squad that will have three weeks to prepare for the first Lions Test and we have to maximise the time we have at our disposal.”
The squad will assemble in Pretoria on May 25th and travel to Windhoek on May 28th.
De Villiers will name his final team to play the Lions on June 1st.
South Africa squad: Odwa Ndungane, Jongi Nokwe, JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers, Adi Jacobs, Morgan Newman, Peter Grant, Earl Rose, Ricky Januarie, Jano Vermaak; Ryan Kankowski, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Jean Deysel, Schalk Burger, Andries Bekker, Johan Muller, Steven Sykes, John Smit, Adriaan Strauss, Bismarck Du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira, Wian Du Preez.
