Div chooses his Boks

[pieter blackie]

Div chooses his Boks

Johannesburg - The Springbok squad for the 2009 British and Irish Lions Series was announced by South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins and national coach Peter de Villiers on Monday evening at Montecasino.

The Emerging Springbok side was also named.

The 28-man squad includes one newcomer in Blue Bulls flyhalf Morné Steyn. The selection also marks the return to the Springbok squad of Sharks prop Deon Carstens and Blue Bulls centre Wynand Olivier, both of whom last played for the Boks in 2007.

SPRINGBOKS

Forwards (14):
John Smit – Sharks (81) – Captain
Victor Matfield – Blue Bulls (80) – Vice-Captain
Andries Bekker – Western Province (13)
Bakkies Botha – Blue Bulls (55)
Schalk Burger – Western Province (49)
Deon Carstens – Sharks (7)
Bismarck du Plessis – Sharks (21)
Ryan Kankowski – Sharks (7)
Tendai Mtawarira – Sharks (10)
Chiliboy Ralepelle – Blue Bulls (3)
Danie Rossouw – Blue Bulls (36)
Juan Smith – Cheetahs (54)
Pierre Spies – Blue Bulls (19)
Gurthrö Steenkamp – Blue Bulls (20)

Backs (14):

Jean de Villiers – Vodacom Western Province (46)
Fourie du Preez – Blue Bulls (43)
Jaque Fourie – Lions (42)
Bryan Habana – Blue Bulls (46)
Adi Jacobs – Sharks (21)
Ricky Januarie – Western Province (34)
Odwa Ndungane – Sharks (3)
Jongi Nokwe – Cheetahs (3)
Wynand Olivier – Blue Bulls (21)
Ruan Pienaar – Sharks (27)
JP Pietersen – Sharks (24)
Earl Rose – Lions (uncapped)
Frans Steyn – Sharks (27)
Morné Steyn – Blue Bulls (uncapped)

Div chooses his Boks

[.X.]

No Grant so - what does that mean?

[TommyM]

Could be good or bad. Imagine he might say, well I'll take the opportunity in WA and if I can play my way back in from over there so be it. Alternatively might think it best to stay playing more under their noses.... Hopefully its the former, although I wonder if he'll have less pull on JOC now?

[mudskipper]

Well they have 3 possible Flyhalves with these guys before Grant gets a call up... So he may look more favourably on a Force contract... If he wants to remain in the S14... Otherwise a Japanese would offer a greater cash incentive... So it’s back to SARU player laws and if he thinks he is a realistic chance of getting back into the Boks... tic tic tic....

Ruan Pienaar – Sharks
Frans Steyn – Sharks
Morné Steyn – Blue Bulls

[jargan83]

So it’s back to SARU player laws and if he thinks he is a realistic chance of getting back into the Boks... tic tic tic....

SARU doesn't have the same strict player guidelines that Australia and NZ have. Grant could play in Australia or Europe or on the moon and still be eligible to Play for the Proteas

[mudskipper]

SARU doesn't have the same strict player guidelines that Australia and NZ have. Grant could play in Australia or Europe or on the moon and still be eligible to Play for the Proteas

Well then he should sign with the Force...

[Tazzmania]

Looks like things are falling into place. JOC's extention hinged on Grant coming over, Grant was waiting to see if he was called up. Grant now not picked as was likely and now all there is is for JOC to extend his contract. once Grant's is finalised. Lets remember he is signed tell next year if he exercises his option to stay or extend further.

[prop53]

Fingers cross eh?

[rahrahgirl]

has JOC ever said he will stay if grant comes?
i know he wanted to play along side a world class flyhalf, but does grant actually fit that bill, or is he the best we can get?

[prop53]

Time will tell?

[James]

has JOC ever said he will stay if grant comes?
i know he wanted to play along side a world class flyhalf, but does grant actually fit that bill, or is he the best we can get?

He hasn't really said anything. He hasn't said he wanted to play alongside a world class flyhalf.

The indication is that he doesn't want to play fly-half so he wants a recognised fly-half signed before he would re-commit with the Force. So its either a case of a) he wants to re-sign with the Force but only if another decent fly-half signs on, b) he has no intention of signing on with the Force and is just trying to score himself the best deal possible from the ARU/Brumbies/Whoever else or c) he isn't really sure what he wants to do (which I find a little unlikely).

Now Grant is far from being world-class but he is competant and, if JO'C were to stay, competant is good enough to make us a finals chance.

[lara93]

wow
its actually i really good team!

[slomo]

so when do we expect to hear peter grants answer, after the tri-nations squad is announced?....

[normie]

SARU doesn't have the same strict player guidelines that Australia and NZ have. Grant could play in Australia or Europe or on the moon and still be eligible to Play for the Proteas

I think the moon is struggling for corporate sponsorship since the NASA budget was slashed, despite having a distinct home ground advantage.

[jono]

prop53. my thoughts too.