Springbok Squad announced for 2009 European Tour
After the Vodacom Bulls beat the Vodacom Cheetahs convincingly in this past Saturday’s Currie Cup final, the Springbok squad was announced for the upcoming 2009 South African tour to Europe. 37 players have been chosen to represent their country. South African rugby is really doing well in 2009, so this promises to be one of the best tours in history. Pierre Spies was selected but has withdrawn from the squad. He’s undergoing surgery one of his fingers (an injury sustained in the Vodacom Bulls Currie Cup campaign). He has been replaced by another player (Jean Deysel from the Sharks). South Africa will face Leicester in on the 6th of November, France on the 13th of November, Saracens on the 17th of November, Italy on the 21st of November and Ireland on the 28th of November.
Here is the list of players who were selected:
Forwards (20):
- John Smit (Sharks) – Captain
- Victor Matfield (Vodacom Bulls) – Vice-Captain
- Andries Bekker (Vodacom Western Province)
- Bakkies Botha (Vodacom Bulls)
- Heinrich Brüssow (Vodacom Cheetahs)
- Schalk Burger (Vodacom Western Province)
- Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)
- Jannie du Plessis (Sharks)
- Alistair Hargreaves (Sharks)
- Ashley Johnson (Vodacom Cheetahs)
- Ryan Kankowski (Sharks)
- Bandise Maku (Vodacom Bulls)
- Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
- Dewald Potgieter (Vodacom Bulls)
- Chiliboy Ralepelle (Vodacom Bulls)
- Davon Raubenheimer (GWK Griquas)
- Danie Rossouw (Vodacom Bulls)
- Gurthrö Steenkamp (Vodacom Bulls)
- Heinke van der Merwe (Xerox Lions)
- Jean Deysel (Sharks)
Backs (17)
- Heini Adams (Vodacom Bulls)
- Meyer Bosman (Vodacom Cheetahs)
- Juan de Jongh (Vodacom Western Province)
- Fourie du Preez (Vodacom Bulls)
- Jaque Fourie (Xerox Lions)
- Bryan Habana (Vodacom Bulls)
- Francois Hougaard (Vodacom Bulls)
- Adi Jacobs (Sharks)
- Zane Kirchner (Vodacom Bulls)
- Odwa Ndungane (Sharks)
- Jongi Nokwe (Vodacom Cheetahs)
- Wynand Olivier (Vodacom Bulls)
- Ruan Pienaar (Sharks)
- JP Pietersen (Sharks)
- Earl Rose (Xerox Lions)
- Morne Steyn (Vodacom Bulls)
- Riaan Viljoen (GWK Griquas)
The selected SA Squad features 9 new caps. 14 Vodacom Bulls players have been selected. 11 Sharks players have been selected. 4 Vodacom Cheetahs players have been selected. 3 Xerox Lions players have been selected. 3 Vodacom Western Province players have been selected. 2 GWK Griquas players have been selected. In all, this promises to be a great Springbok team. I’m sure that all the new players are quite excited to be selected. South Africa has a great opportunity to prove to the world that they’re still the World Champions of Rugby Union.
