Bok coach reveals the 21 players heading to New Zealand
SQUAD UPDATE: After a big win against the Wallabies, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named a group of 21 players to join their teammates in New Zealand for next week’s second Rugby Championship outing against the All Blacks in Auckland.
The group includes Duane Vermeulen – who captained the Bok in their emphatic 43-12 victory against Australia at Loftus Versfeld – as well as the front row of Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (both props), Mbongeni Mbonambi (hooker), and backs Manie Libbok (flyhalf), Lukhanyo Am (centre), Cobus Reinach and Grant Williams (both scrumhalves).
There are few players that were involved in the win against the Wallabies that have not been included in the group. They are Canan Moodie, Evan Roos, Joseph Dweba and Marvin Orie.
A group of 13 players travelled to New Zealand on Tuesday, which included injured skipper Siyamthanda Kolisi and a few team management members, while Bulls prop Gerhard Steenekamp made the journey on Wednesday as an injury replacement for Retshegofaditswe Nche, taking the number of players in New Zealand to 14.
This group will depart for New Zealand late on Sunday.
Nienaber, SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and Bok assistant coach Felix Jones departed for New Zealand immediately after the Pretoria battle, which will allow them to get down to business on the field from Monday, giving them a full week of training.
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#OPINION: Check out the Springbok Player Ratings after their 43-12 win over the Wallabies on Saturday 👇#RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks #Australia #Wallabies https://t.co/SqhHRlMKvA
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“It was always part of our planning that some of the players who ran out in the Test against Australia would travel to New Zealand, and given some impressive performances today [Saturday], we decided to take a few more players than we originally planned for,” said Erasmus.
“We now have the luxury of having a bunch of fresh players to work with in New Zealand from Monday, and they’ll be joined by a group who have experienced the physicality of Australia and who can add energy and momentum at training from Tuesday.
“We’ll analyse the match on our journey to New Zealand and then announce our team to face the All Blacks on Tuesday.”
Additional Springbok players travelling to New Zealand:
Forwards: Thomas du Toit (prop), Pieter-Steph du Toit (loose forward), Deon Fourie (utility forward), Steven Kitshoff (prop), Jean Kleyn (lock), Vincent Koch (prop) Frans Malherbe (prop), Mbongeni Mbonambi (hooker), Trevor Nyakane (prop), Rudolph Snyman (lock), Marco van Staden (flank), Duane Vermeulen (No.8).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (centre), Kurt-Lee Arendse (wing), Andre Esterhuizen (centre), Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf), Willie le Roux (fullback), Manie Libbok (flyhalf), Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf), Damian Willemse (utility back), Grant Williams (scrumhalf).
Main photo by: Johan Orton
