De Villiers dips into SA's Super 14 resources
SA team for IRB Under-21 championship named
Coach Pieter De Villiers has named a very powerful and experienced South African team to compete at the International Rugby Board (IRB) Under-21 World Championship in France next month.
The 26-man squad includes 12 players with Super 14 experience, several of whom were regulars for their franchises this year.
Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), Chilliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), Heinke van der Merwe (on loan from the Golden Lions to the Sharks), Keegan Daniels (Sharks), Pierre Spies (Bulls), Bradley Barritt (Sharks), Cedric Mkhize (Sharks), Jano Vermaak (Cats), JP Petersen (Sharks), Marius Delport (Bulls), Meyer Bosman (Cheetahs) and Waylon Murray (Sharks) all have had a good taste of Super 14 action.
Of the 26 players in the squad there are 11 who were part of the team that won the IRB U21 title in Argentina last year.
They are Strauss, Ralepelle, Van der Merwe, Hilton Lobberts, Nicolaai Blignaut, Pieter Louw, Sangoni Mxoli, Werner Kruger, Mkhize, Frank Wagenstroom and Delport.
The squad will gather for a camp in Brandvlei, Worcester, from May 24 to June 4.
The IRB tournament, to be held in Paris, runs from June 9 to 24.
Commenting on the squad, coach Pieter De Villiers said he was happy with the players called up to do duty in France.
"I am looking forward to working with the squad," said De Villiers. "This is the best possible group of players we could put together to compete in the tournament."
South African Under-21 squad:
Forwards: Adriaan Strauss (Blue Bulls), Allister Hargreaves (Sharks), Ashley Johnson (Spears), Bandiso Maku (Blue Bulls), Chilliboy Ralepelle (Blue Bulls), Heinke van der Merwe (Golden Lions), Hilton Lobberts (Blue Bulls), Keegan Daniels (Sharks), Nicolaai Blignaut (Sharks), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls), Pieter Louw (Western Province), Sangoni Mxoli (Sharks), Werner Kruger (Blue Bulls), Wilhelm Steenkamp (Blue Bulls).
Backs: Bradley Barritt (Sharks), Cedric Mkhize (Sharks), Frank Wagenstroom (Western Province), Isma-eel Dollie (Spears), Jano Vermaak (Golden Lions), JP Petersen (Sharks), Joey Mongalo (Blue Bulls), Marius Delport (Blue Bulls), Meyer Bosman (Cheetahs), Morgan Newman (Western Province), Warren Malgas (Spears), Waylon Murray (Sharks).
