Hooker in for loose forward

[Burgs]

Hooker in for loose forward

From correspondents in Cape Town, South Africa
July 31, 2007

HOOKER Bismarck du Plessis has been called into South Africa's World Cup squad to replace injured loose forward Pierre Spies, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced on Tuesday. (Oh, I thought this was another Eddie Jones story...)
Spies was withdrawn from the squad on Monday and ruled out of rugby for six-to-eight months because of blood clots on his lungs.

No explanation was given as to why Spies had been replaced by a hooker, although only two hookers had been included in the original squad.

Du Plessis, 23, made his Test debut earlier this month against Australia and will understudy Springbok captain John Smit and reserve hooker Gary Botha.

Reuters

Interesting there is no Chiliboy in the Squad, is he injured Goldie?
With the quotas etc I would have thought he was a shoe in if fit.

[Goldmember]

Looks like Skinstad/Roussouw will start at 8. Both are better than Spies anyway, just different.

Chilliboy messed up his knee and unfortunately won't be back until 2008. I suspect Bismark might be better than Gary, but has less experience. It was probably John Smit who pushed for his inclusion.

Maybe Connolly should swallow his pride and bring back Jeremy Paul?

[Burgs]

Maybe!?
Has been a no brainer from the start for mine mate but unfortunately I think there may be too much baggage and ego attached now
JP is so far advanced on Moore and Freier (let alone Hardman ) his exclusion can't be on ability or form.

[hopep]

Perhaps some people are recalling the briliant versatility of front row players.