Tri-nations and its controversies part 1 – SA squad named

With the rugby world cup around the corner, the Tri-nations will be a good measure of the Springboks readiness for the auspicious tournament. The 27-man squad for the opening two Tri-Nations clashes against Australia and New Zealand was recently announced last week. Springbok captain, John Smit, will again lead a ‘new-look’ group after 21 players were ruled out through injury earlier this week.

The coach, Peter De Villiers stated:  "We've rewarded players who have performed outstandingly in Vodacom Super Rugby, although the injury situation has also been critical. But there is a backbone of experience and it means that all our leading players will receive Test exposure this year".

The new-look squad resembles a certain experience meets inexperience, in that there are  five previous Rugby World Cup winners as well as six uncapped players. This has been seen as a  controversial selection and has been queried by the Australian Rugby Union (big surprise), due to a a host of experienced  Springbok players including: vice-captain, Victor Matfield ( calf and neck injury), hooker- Bismarck du Plessis ( shoulder injury), fly-half- Butch James ( knee injury) and winger, Bryan Habana ( shoulder injury), sitting out the first two games of the campaign.

The South Africa squad for Tri-Nations:

Forwards:

Heinrich Brüssow - Cheetahs flanker - voted best open-side flanker in the Super14 and Currie cup in 2008, missed most of the 2010 Super Rugby season due to  a knee ligament injury. He is a  strong and creative player in  ‘rucks’, as he manages to turn over the ball like no other..

Jean Deysel - Sharks flanker - Big guy, impact player and intimidating

Dean Greyling - Blue Bulls prop - Uncapped .

Alistair Hargreaves - Sharks lock - is a good sub and  about extra  2 years to gain experience.

Ryan Kankowski - Sharks 8th man - He has a natural flair on attack, breaking the line with powerful runs from the back of the scrum and is unrelenting on defense. He’s too good for Super Rugby but okay in Test Rugby.

Werner Kruger - Blue Bulls prop - Uncapped 

Ashley Johnson - Cheetahs 8th man - Good player, explosive, needs  more playing time to develop  or a new team.

Johann Muller - Sharks lock - went to play for Ireland with Magners League side Ulster in 2010.

Coenie Oosthuizen - Cheetahs Prop - The best prop in the country. He has surprising pace for a man of his colossal weight,  a punisher at scrum time and a ferocious tackler with a high work rate.

Chiliboy Ralepelle - Blue Bulls Hooker - Has great presence in the team.

Danie Rossouw - Blue Bulls Lock – He’s a good player but should retire in 2years.

John Smit (captain) -  Sharks Hooker/Prop - Great captain

Deon Stegmann - Blue Bulls Flank - He is a very strong player who is good in rucks and stealing the ball. 

Adriaan Strauss - Cheetahs Hooker - He needs to gain more experience and in my opinion should try to  move to a better team like the Sharks or Stormers.

Flip van der Merwe - Blue Bulls Lock - good sub, still stuck in Victor Matfields’ shadow

Backs:

Gio Aplon - Stormers Wing /Full back - He has blistering speed and is known as the "pocket dynamo". He has a natural flair, his speed and elusiveness causes the opposition much grief. He is known for his side steps and is a versatile backline player.

Bjorn Basson - Blue Bulls Wing - He is like Habana 6 years ago

Juan de Jongh - Stormers Centre – He’s an okay player, could be better.

Adrian Jacobs - Sharks Wing/Centre/Full back - He predominantly plays Centre but is a highly versatile backline player and is a "super-sub", though it is time he retires.

Elton Jantjies - Lions Flyhalf - An okay Flyhalf . He needs more discipline and a new team

Patrick Lambie - Sharks Fullback/Flyhalf/Centre - The total package, great at Flyhalf or fullback

Charl McLeod - Sharks Scrumhalf - uncapped replaces Stormers scrum-half, Ricky Januarie, who announced his retirement from international rugby

Lwazi Mvovo - Sharks Wing - The ultimate number 11. He is very quick on his feet and shows an excellent work rate

Odwa Ndungane - Sharks Wing - He is an okay Wing

Wynand Olivier - Blue Bulls Centre - He needs new moves, he's at his peak

Ruan Pienaar - Sharks Scrumhalf - An all round player, very versatile and can play either as a Scrumhalf or as a Flyhalf. He joined Ulster for the 2010/2011 Magners League campaign in Ireland.

Morne Steyn - Blue Bulls Flyhalf - He is an okay Flyhalf

All in all this looks like a good team, lets hope our boys make us proud.