Senatla called up to Bok training squad

Seabelo Senatla and fit-again Springboks Handré Pollard, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe and Jaco Kriel have all been included in an extended Springbok training squad.

The camp will take place from 5-7 March and is the first of three preparation camps the Springboks will undertake as part of their plans before the start of the international season in June, when South Africa host France in a three-match series.

Five promising former Junior Springboks, Ox Nche, Joseph Dweba, Hanro Liebenberg, Warrick Gelant and Wilco Louw were also included.

Players from the Sharks or Kings were not considered for the Johannesburg camp , because of Super Rugby duty in Australia and Singapore, while Lions players will leave the camp after Monday’s activities as they are travelling with their franchise team to Argentina the following day.

Long-term injured players such as Juan de Jongh, Roelof Smit and Howard Mnisi were not considered for this camp.

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said he is very happy to start working with the extended Bok squad so early in the year.

‘We did a lot of background planning and this camp will give us the opportunity to take the objectives we agreed on at the various indabas, to the training field.

‘This group was selected before the start of Super Rugby so that we could adhere to World Rugby regulations by giving notice of the camp 14 days in advance.’

Springbok training squad – Nizaam Carr, Uzair Cassiem, Damian de Allende, Lood de Jager, Faf de Klerk, Ruan Dreyer, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Joseph Dweba, Eben Etzebeth, Warrick Gelant, Lizo Gqoboka, Hanro Liebenberg, Travis Ismaiel, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Elton Jantjies, Siya Kolisi, Jaco Kriel, Jesse Kriel, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Lionel Mapoe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Teboho Mohoje, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Trevor Nyakane, Rudy Page, Sergeal Petersen, Handré Pollard, Raymond Rhule, Seabelo Senatla, Jan Serfontein, RG Snyman, Jamba Ulengo, Armand van der Merwe, Piet van Zyl, Francois Venter, Warren Whiteley.

 Too many no hopers?

 ‘We did a lot of background planning and this camp will give us the opportunity to take the objectives we agreed on at the various indabas, to the training field.
So Coetzee staying on as coach was decided long before the public were informed. Obviously SARU didn't feel the public deserved to know the outcome of his review to be announced at the date they first agreed to. 
Because, who gives a shyte about the supporters right? I mean we are only the dumb c.unts who keep the lights on. The Springboks would be so much better off without us.

Well spotted Plum. But really, we all knew long ago that Coetzee was going nowhere. I remember about a month ago that news headlines had mentioned that there was no performance clause in his contract giving them no way of getting rid of him. And he lacks the character to fall on his sword. As I understand it, that clause has now been added. 

It is very pleasant to see Senatla included in the training squad. This kid has plenty of that special something most of our current crop lack. 

 Reminds me of a guy who I played with.  Man was he fast!  But his defensive efforts were just that - efforts - and I fear in the 15 man code that Seabelo will suffer the same inability to stop a big player.  He can run like the wind and step like a River Dancer but power to weight is going to be a problem.  However if we have a clever defence coach who can overcome his weakness by getting one of the triangle players to always back Seabelo up - then we may have more benefit than loss from his participation. I don't think that retread club-level scrummy who now is a coach (sic) has the ability to coach any defensive patterns, let alone an overlapping support defence strategy for the back-line.  

Well in the Sevens format what sets the Blitzbokke apart this year is their defense. The team as a whole have excellent defense. I know that does not necessarily translate to the 15 man code, but being able to tackle your man, is being able to tackle your man .  

 This guy should have stayed in 7. Destroying 7 will not help 15.

 Senatla will do well if the Stormers continue where they left over against da bools last weekend.

 Senatla is weak on defence and needs help. You can perhaps get away with it is you have a mobile loose trio and the other backs can tackle. one wishes him well as he is a great attacking player.

 His defence is kak but the hair looks good & he's a mighty fine tryscorer . Should've stayed with sevens . Hope I'm wrong .

 He's going to find it a lot harder to score tries in the 15 man game...too small...too light to achieve the heights he achieved in 7's. I wish him well.