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http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=870747
Free State Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brüssow and Lions flyhalf Earl Rose were the only uncapped players named by coach Peter de Villiers in the Springbok end-of-year tour squad.
Bok side should lack surprises
Brüssow (22) and Rose (24) were named among 28 players for Tests against Wales (November 8), Scotland (November 15) and England (November 22).
"We have named what we believe is the strongest squad," said coach Peter de Villiers. "It has been selected from the players we used during the Tri-Nations as well as the form players in the Absa Currie Cup.
"With the British & Irish Lions heading to South Africa in a just a few months, these Tests are as important as any we have undertaken since our re-admission in 1992."
De Villiers recalled four players from injuries of varying length: centre Jaque Fourie, No 8 Ryan Kankowski and lock Bakkies Botha as well as hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle who was rewarded for his long battle to regain fitness with a recall for the first time since 2006.
De Villiers praised the form of the two new newcomers to the squad for their outstanding form in the Currie Cup.
"Both Earl and Heinrich really put their hands up in the Currie Cup," said de Villiers. "Earl’s form may have dipped at times but he has the ’X’ factor you look for in a flyhalf and has time to develop while Heinrich has really burst onto the scene and is outstanding at contesting at the breakdown.
"Ruan Pienaar is earmarked for the No 10 jersey as I’m looking to find a long-term successor to Butch James, following his decision to retire after the Lions tour next year.
"We decided against selecting players from overseas on this occasion as we know they can slot in at any time but we felt that the time is right to give players like Ruan an opportunity in the No 10 jersey and we will be looking at John as a tighthead on this tour."
The squad will assemble in Cape Town at 2pm on Tuesday, October 28 and depart for the UK on Friday, October 31.
BACKS: Jean de Villiers Western Province, Fourie du Preez Blue Bulls, Jaque Fourie Lions, Bryan Habana Blue Bulls, Adrian Jacobs Sharks, Conrad Jantjes Western Province, Enrico Januarie Western Province, Jongi Nokwe Free State Cheetahs, Odwa Ndungane Sharks, Ruan Pienaar Sharks, JP Pietersen Sharks, Earl Rose Lions, Francois Steyn Sharks.
FORWARDS: Andries Bekker Western Province, Bakkies Botha Blue Bulls, Schalk Burger Western Province, Heinrich Brüssow Free State Cheetahs, Bismarck du Plessis Sharks, Ryan Kankowski Sharks, Victor Matfield Blue Bulls, Tendai Mtawarira Sharks, Chiliboy Ralepelle Blue Bulls, Brian Mujati Western Province, Danie Rossouw Blue Bulls, John Smit (captain) Sharks, Juan Smith Free State Cheetahs, Pierre Spies Blue Bulls, Gurthrö Steenkamp Blue Bulls
ON STANDBY: Peter Grant Western Province, Jannie du Plessis Sharks, Johann Muller Sharks, Wynand Olivier Blue Bulls, Adriaan Strauss Free State Cheetahs, Heinke van der Merwe Lions, Jano Vermaak Lions
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Courtesy of quality South African commentry
how shameful. i STILL haven't lost it
