SA feel to Saracens squad

[pieter blackie]

London - Wikus van Heerden will captain a Saracens side containing 10 South Africans when they face the Springboks at Wembley on Tuesday night.

Saracens coach Brendan Venter has named nine players with South African connections in his starting XV, while former Springbok and WP hooker Schalk Brits is on the bench.

Kick-off is at 21:30 SA time.

Van Heerden forms an all South African loose trio with Justin Melck and Ernst Joubert, while the halfbacks pairing comprises Neil de Kock and Derick Hougaard.

Lock Mouritz Botha and hooker Ethienne Reynecke also start, while South Africans who have now pledged their allegiances to England include Brad Barritt (inside centre) and Michael Horak (fullback).

Other internationals in the squad include Fijian outside centre Kameli Ratuvou and Italian reserve prop Carlos Nieto.

Saracens are currently atop the Guinness Premiership after seven matches. The Leicester Tigers, who beat a Bok XV in their opening tour match, find themselves in fourth position.

Teams:

Saracens:
15 Michael Horak, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Justin Melck, 6 Wikus van Heerden (captain), 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Richard Skuse, 2 Ethienne Reynecke, 1 Rhys Gill
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Carlos Nieto, 18 George Kruis, 19 Andy Saull, 20 Kevin Barrett, 21 Alex Goode, 22 Rodd Penney

South Africa:
15 Earl Rose, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Dewald Potgieter (captain), 6 Jean Deysel, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 François Hougaard, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Riaan Viljoen

http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Rug...Saracens_squad

[James]

Saracens are owned by a South African business group these days aren't they?

[Burgs]

They wouldn't get that kind of an opportunity during the season would they, a bit rusty on the rules, only two in the 22 or something isn't it?