April gets June Bok call-up
Coetzee named a new-look Springbok squad, including nine uncapped players, for the June series against Ireland, featuring three Tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
The uncapped players who have forced their way into the Springbok squad are Garth April (flyhalf), Ruan Combrinck (wing), Francois de Klerk (scrumhalf), Nic Groom (scrumhalf), Steven Kitshoff (prop), Jaco Kriel (flank), Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (flank) and Siyabonga Ntubeni (hooker).
Coetzee picked 17 forwards and 14 backs to report for duty on Sunday for the start of a two week-long preparation camp in Stellenbosch and Cape Town.
The squad will gather in Stellenbosch for the first week, before they break for two days and then reassemble on Sunday 5 June in Cape Town.
Coetzee said he was excited and looking forward to start working with his squad.
"The announcement of the squad, while hugely challenging, is a highlight of my career and a result of a lot of hard work and a huge amount of planning since my appointment," said Coetzee.
"The selection of this squad was based on rewarding form and exposing young and upcoming local players to the Springboks, which is why priority was given to locally based players. We have many experienced players still available for selection, but we just felt that the time was right to look at the next generation.
"Our depth was obviously tested in certain positions, but this also created opportunities for new players, who have found their feet at Super Rugby level, and to make the step up to the Springboks.
"I was appointed to win Test matches and I believe we have picked the best possible, available squad to do that. During my recent visits to the various franchises, I witnessed an unbelievable desire and passion from our players to play for South Africa, which was really heartening.
"We will now start with our preparations in earnest in Stellenbosch so that we can be ready for Ireland in Cape Town in two weeks' time."
Coetzee did not name a team captain and said he wanted to work with the squad before making a decision in the week of the first Test.
"We have a number of captaincy candidates to consider and I will announce the name of the captain when we name the team to face Ireland in Cape Town in a few days' time," said the Bok coach.
Several players were not available for selection for the Springbok or SA 'A' squads because of injuries or Springbok Sevens commitments.
They are JC Janse van Rensburg, Sithembiso Sithole, Marcell Coetzee, Cyril-John Velleman, Chris Cloete, Thembelani Bholi, Schalk Burger, Cobus Reinach, Jano Vermaak, Elgar Watts, Robert du Preez, Kurt Coleman, Handré Pollard, Harold Vorster, Cornal Hendricks, Andries Coetzee, Dillyn Leyds, Jaco van der Walt (all injuries or illness), as well as Francois Hougaard, Bryan Habana, Juan de Jongh, Seabelo Senatla, Cheslin Kolbe, Warrick Gelant and Siviwe Soyizwapi (all Springbok Sevens).
Furthermore, experienced scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar informed Coetzee that he is not available for selection for the June Tests.
"We were considering all the players on this list carefully but they are unfortunately not available. We've also had good discussions with Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell and I support them fully in their preparations for the Olympic Games in August even though some of those players were real contenders for inclusion in the Springbok squad," said Coetzee.
Coetzee added that that four players not included in the Springboks' match-23 for the first two Tests, will be released to the SA 'A' squad for their matches against the England Saxons.
The three Tests between the Springboks and Ireland will take
place on June 11 (Newlands in Cape Town), on June 18 (Ellis Park in Johannesburg) and on June 25 (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth).
The Springbok squad for the June Series (alphabetical order – Name/Position/Franchise-Club/Test Caps)
1. Garth April Flyhalf Sharks 0
2. Ruan Combrinck Wing Lions 0
3. Damian de Allende Centre Stormers 13
4. Lodewyk de Jager Lock Cheetahs 19
5. Francois de Klerk Scrumhalf Lions 0
6. Pieter-Steph du Toit Lock Stormers 8
7. Eben Etzebeth Lock Stormers 44
8. Nic Groom Scrumhalf Stormers 0
9. Elton Jantjies Flyhalf Lions 2
10. Steven Kitshoff Prop Bordeaux (France) 0
11. Siya Kolisi Flank Stormers 13
12. Jaco Kriel Flank Lions 0
13. Jesse Kriel Centre Bulls 11
14. Patrick Lambie Flyhalf Sharks 50
15. Willie le Roux Fullback Sharks 34
16. Francois Louw Flank Bath (England) 43
17. Frans Malherbe Prop Stormers 12
18. Lionel Mapoe Centre Lions 1
19. Bongi Mbonambi Hooker Stormers 0
20. Tendai Mtawarira Prop Sharks 75
21. Lwazi Mvovo Wing Sharks 15
22. Sikhumbuzo Notshe Flank Stormers 0
23. Siyabonga Ntubeni Hooker Stormers 0
24. Trevor Nyakane Prop Bulls 23
25. Rudy Paige Scrumhalf Bulls 2
26. JP Pietersen Wing Sharks 66
27. Julian Redelinghuys Prop Lions 2
28. Jan Serfontein Centre Bulls 26
29. Adriaan Strauss Hooker Bulls 54
30. Duane Vermeulen No 8 Toulon (France) 35
31. Warren Whiteley No 8 Lions 3
