Bok Squad Gets Thumbs Up

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has named a fairly predictable squad for the end-of-year tour to Britain, with one or two selections raising a few eyebrows.

As expected, de Villiers stayed with the tried and tested for most part but did include a few players which made me sit up and think for a while. I don't even know why I was so surprised because that's what de Villiers does. Never will he name a Springbok side without one or two surprise inclusions. Here are the one's that made me think a bit:

Ruan Pienaar: I never once questioned that he would make the squad. A player with his talent and ability should walk into any international team. What bugs me though is the fact that he'll probably be wearing the number 10 jersey in the three tests against Wales, Scotland and England. There's no Butch James, which is a debate all on it's own, so logically it will be Pienaar to be the first choice ! flyhalf with Frans Steyn staying on in his role as the utility back. Conversely, who can forget Pienaar's massive side-step in the Boks' 53 - 8 win over Australia this year, when he broke the line and dived over the tryline untouched? That's what Pienaar can do at flyhalf so after careful consideration, I'd say not a bad call.

John Smit: He's been selected as a tighthead prop. A TIGHTHEAD PROP FOR PETE'S SAKE!!! I still fail to see the logic in this selection. He's our captain and surely he should play in the position he's specialised in during his entire senior professional career. This is the first sign that Smit is being phased out. No doubt Bismarck du Plessis is the best hooker in the country at the moment, but you can't move your very inspirational captain to a position he hasn't consistently played in since age-group rugby. Bad call.

Chilliboy Ralephele: Many say he'! s the future Springbok captain and generally the future of Sou! th Afric an rugby. A lot has been invested in him and he no doubt has considerable talent, but he's so injury-prone and hasn't played enough rugby to warrant a call-up. He hasn't made the Blue Bulls starting lineup this year. If I were John Smit I'd be really worried. Bad call.

Otherwise I think it's a great squad, a squad capable of beating the Northern Hemisphere sides and a squad who've been together the whole year. Well done to Heinrich Brussouw for his call-up to the national side. He's been a menace on the ground for the past 18 months now and will fill Luke Watson's boots with distinction.