Straeuli names new-look Springbok squad

South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli named only 20 players with test experience when he announced a 46-man squad for Springbok …

South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli named only 20 players with test experience when he announced a 46-man squad for Springbok trials.

Straeuli, who took the job after the resignation of Harry Viljoen at the start of the year, was unable to select 13 Springboks who were injured and four others who have announced they would play overseas.

It meant his squad contained only 16 of the 41 players who appeared for the Springboks in the 2001 season.

"We have a special plan for certain injured players and are going to put them into an intensive rehabilitation programme," said Straeuli.

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"Injuries are a worrying factor and people have been saying that we play too much rugby but I can categorically state that we don't play any more rugby than they do in New Zealand".

Injured players who were not considered included the three most capped Springboks of all time in scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen, lock Mark Andrews and flanker Andre Venter.

The squad included three players without Super 12 experience in flyhalves Brent Russell, Francois Swart and Jean de Villiers.

Springboks omitted from the squad included Straeuli's former Sharks charges Gaffie du Toit and Thinus Delport.

Squad:

Backs- De Wet Barry, Johannes Conradie, Craig Davidson, Neil de Kock, Jean de Villiers, Werner Greeff, Wylie Human, Adrian Jacobs, Conrad Jantjes, Marius Joubert, Norman Jordaan, Wayne Julies, Ricardo Loubscher, Friedrich Lombard, Breyton Paulse, Andre Pretorius, Clyde Rathbone, Brent Russell, Egon Seconds, Andre Snyman, Francois Swart, Stefan Terblanche.

Forwards- Bakkies Botha, Warren Britz, James Dalton, Quinton Davids, Delarey du Preez, Hendrik Gerber, Daan Human, Corne Krige, Jannes Labuschagne, Ollie le Roux, Hottie Louw, Victor Matfield, Willie Meyer, Faan Rautenbach, Wessel Roux, Lawrence Sephaka, Hendro Scholtz, Bob Skinstad, Phillip Smit, Shaun Sowerby, Joe van Niekerk, AJ Venter, Cobus Visagie, Tjoepie van den Heever.