The Springbok touring squad for the 2009 European tour was named after the Currie Cup Final.
With 2 matches against English club sides, and a herculean effort from some of the experienced Springbok players this year (especially the Bulls), this tour repreents a chance for the Springboks to start developing players for the future and build depth.
South African rugby is extremely healthy at the moment, and it was almost a case of who would be left out as opposed to who would be included.
Whilst many players can probably consider themselves unlucky to miss out, the following players will earn their first caps: Heini Adams, Juan de Jongh, Alistair Hargreaves, Francois Hougaard, Ashley Johnson, Bandise Maku, Dewald Potgieter, Davon Raubenheimer and Riaan Viljoen.
Surprisingly Bandise Maku, Alistair Hargreaves and even Heini Adams, are not first choices for their provinces. I’m not sure Maku (or even Chiliboy Ralepelle) deserve to make the grade as back-up hookers, with Tiaan Liebenberg and Adriaan Strauss considered unlucky.
Davon Raubenheimer can be considered a bolter. His performances were outsanding for Griquas this year, but Jean Deysel and Frans Viljoen may have been unlucky. Many would consider the Western Province duo Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw worthy of consideration, but I still think they haven’t been consistent enough.
The other surprise for me in the forwards was the inclusion of Heinke van der Merwe as tighthead prop. However de Villiers has worked with him before and rates him very highly. The Cheetahs front row has been dominant the past month, so it is interesting that no Cheetahs props were selected.
In the backs it was surprising to see Riaan Viljoen selected as fullback, but just reward for a consistent season. Lionel Mapoe was a name many expected to see but could not make the cut.
The choice of back-up halfback was interesting as I’ve always rated Heini Adams (there is also Ruan Pienaar and Francois Hougaard who can cover too). It was good to see Ricky Januarie dropped, as his form has been disappointing this year. However I thought both Sarel Pretorius and Jano Vermaak both deserved Springbok caps for outstanding seasons.
I’m also pleased to see Earl Rose there as I think he is a huge talent. Many may criticise de Villiers, but why does no one point the finger at the Lions for not playing him at flyhalf?
Whilst I hope all selections were on merit, the squad is still a strong one, and I’d like to see some of the more experienced players rested as much as possible on tour.
Springbok touring squad 2009
Forwards
John Smit – Sharks, Captain
Victor Matfield – Vodacom Blue Bulls, Vice-Captain
Andries Bekker – Vodacom Western Province
Bakkies Botha – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Heinrich Brüssow – Vodacom Cheetahs
Schalk Burger – Vodacom Western Province
Bismarck du Plessis – Natal Sharks
Jannie du Plessis – Natal Sharks
Alistair Hargreaves* – Natal Sharks
Ashley Johnson* – Vodacom Cheetahs
Ryan Kankowski – Natal Sharks
Bandise Maku* – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Tendai Mtawarira – Natal Sharks
Dewald Potgieter* – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Chiliboy Ralepelle – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Davon Raubenheimer* – GWK Griquas
Danie Rossouw – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Pierre Spies – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Gurthro Steenkamp – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Heinke van der Merwe – Xerox Lions
Backs
Heini Adams* – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Meyer Bosman – Vodacom Cheetahs
Juan de Jongh* – Vodacom Western Province
Fourie du Preez – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Jaque Fourie – Xerox Lions
Bryan Habana – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Francois Hougaard* – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Adi Jacobs – Natal Sharks
Zane Kirchner – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Odwa Ndungane – Natal Sharks
Jongi Nokwe – Vodacom Cheetahs
Wynand Olivier – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Ruan Pienaar – Natal Sharks
JP Pietersen – Natal Sharks
Earl Rose – Xerox Lions (-)
Morne Steyn – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Riaan Viljoen* – GWK Griquas
* Uncapped player
Itinerary
Nov 6 vs Leicester at Welford Road
Nov 13 vs France at Municipal Stadium, Toulouse
Nov 17 vs Saracens at Wembley Stadium
Nov 21 vs Italy at Stadio Friuli, Udine
Nov 28 vs Ireland at Croke Park, Dublin
