Maties' Newman named in SA squad
FNB Maties centre Morgan Newman has been named in a 23-man South African training squad that will face a Namibian Invitation XV in Windhoek next Friday.
The squad includes 17 capped Springboks and six uncapped players, with the Stormers’ Newman heading up the ‘non-cap’ list of Cheetahs prop Wian du Preez, Sharks forwards Steven Sykes (lock) and Jean Deysel (flank), in-form Lions scrumhalf Jano Vermaak and his teammate, utility back Earl Rose.
Rose was in the Springbok squad at the end of last year but did not feature in the Tests, whilst du Preez toured England and Wales at the end of 2007 but did not play.
Try-scoring sensation Vermaak was a member of the 2007 Emerging Springboks squad at the IRB Nations Cup, whilst Newman, of course, featured for the Emerging Boks in both 2007 and 2008.
Newman, a product of Diocesan College (Bishops), played two matches for the Maties during the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International; wearing the No.13 shirt against Shimlas and Pukke on successive Mondays.
The 22-year-old, who is actually more of a specialist inside centre, also made his Stormers debut this season and will be hoping to get some regular game time for Western Province during the 2009 Currie Cup season.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has assembled a squad without any Bulls players – as they are still in Super 14 contention – whilst Sharks flyhalf Ruan Pienaar and prop Deon Carstens were not considered because of injuries.
Lions centre Jaque Fourie, meanwhile, was not considered as he is getting married on Saturday, May 30.
De Villiers said that despite the absence of the Bulls players he was still able to assemble a strong squad. He added that the game against the Namibian XV would allow him to test systems and plays in preparation for the Lions Test series.
“Without the opportunity of a few warm-up games we must ensure that we get the most out of this match, regardless of the fact that some players are not in attendance,” said the Bok boss.
“After this match we will assemble a Springbok squad that will have three weeks to prepare for the first Lions Test and we have to maximise the time we have at our disposal.”
The SA training squad will assemble in Pretoria on Monday, May 25 and travel to Windhoek on Thursday. They will play against the Namibian Invitation XV on Friday, May 29.
The Springbok squad for the three-Test Lions series will be named on Monday, June 1.
SA training squad (23): Andries Bekker, Heinrich Brüssow, Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers, Jean Deysel, Bismarck du Plessis, Wian du Preez, Peter Grant, Adi Jacobs, Ricky Januarie, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Johann Muller, Odwa Ndungane, Morgan Newman, Jongi Nokwe, JP Pietersen, Earl Rose, John Smit (captain), Juan Smith, Adriaan Strauss, Steven Sykes, Jano Vermaak.
