Date published: May 15 2017
Four Southern Kings players, Chris Cloete, Andisa Ntsila, Lionel Cronje and Makazole Mapimpi, are amongst an extended group of players who have been invited to the third Springbok training camp, from 21 to 23 May in Johannesburg.
At the conclusion of the camp on May 23, the Springbok squad of 31 players for the Incoming Series next month against France will be announced, as well as the 26-man SA ‘A’ squad for their matches against the French Barbarians. Following next week’s announcement, the Springbok squad will gather in Plettenberg Bay from 28 May to 4 June to continue with preparations for the French series.
The latest training camp forms part of the Springboks’ preparation plans for the forthcoming international season and the squad will be based at Montecasino, Fourways.
No players from the Cheetahs were included as they are on tour in New Zealand. As with the first two camps, there are also no overseas-based players amongst the training squad, adhering to Regulation 9 of World Rugby.
Next week’s final training camp in Johannesburg will give Springbok coach Allister Coetzee and his management team a last chance to have a close look at several candidates before the Bok coach announce his first official Springbok group of the year.
“As with the previous two camps, this assembly provides another chance for the coaches to cast the net wide and to have another closer look at certain positions,” explained Coetzee.
“There are again some new faces in the wider group who have shown consistently good form during Vodacom Super Rugby and the coaches are looking forward to continue with our preparations with the group. They are knocking hard on the door and will be in contention comes squad selection.
“We will announce the Springbok and SA ‘A’ squads after the camp and I can honestly say that there are still a number of positions up for grabs.”
During their three day stay in Johannesburg the players will undergo medical and conditioning assessments, attend gym and have a couple of field training sessions.
The SA ‘A’ squad will take on the French Barbarians in two matches, in Durban on 16 June and in Johannesburg on 23 June. They will assemble on Wednesday 7 June in Durban.
Springbok training squad:
Forwards: Ruan Botha (Sharks), Chris Cloete (Southern Kings), Lood de Jager (Bulls), Ruan Dreyer (Lions), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks), Thomas du Toit (Sharks) Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Stormers), Jaco Kriel (Lions), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Lions), Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Lions), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Stormers), Andisa Ntsila (Southern Kings), Trevor Nyakane (Bulls), Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Sharks), Warren Whiteley (Lions)
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Andries Coetzee (Lions), Lionel Cronje (Southern Kings), Ross Cronje (Lions), Damian de Allende (Stormers), Dewaldt Duvenage (Stormers), Warrick Gelant (Bulls), Elton Jantjies (Lions), Jesse Kriel (Bulls), Pat Lambie (Sharks), Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Southern Kings), Lionel Mapoe (Lions), Jan Serfontein (Bulls), Courtnall Skosan (Lions), Jano Vermaak (Stormers), Harold Vorster (Lions)
