De Jongh, Goosen to ignite Boks

Juan de Jongh of South Africa during the 2015 Cape Town Sevens at Cape Town Stadium, South Africa on 13 December 2015 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Juan de Jongh of South Africa during the 2015 Cape Town Sevens at Cape Town Stadium, South Africa on 13 December 2015 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Published Aug 6, 2016

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Juan de Jongh, Johan Goosen and Francois Hougaard will look to revitalise the Springbok backline, while Lions hooker Malcolm Marx has earned a well-deserved maiden call-up for the Rugby Championship.

As expected, the experienced pair of Willie le Roux and JP Pietersen have been left out after a poor run of form in Super Rugby and for the Boks, although Bok coach Allister Coetzee tried to couch their omissions on Saturday by stating that they are getting “much-needed breaks” after a heavy playing schedule over the last three years.

Le Roux has joined Wasps and Pietersen Leicester in England, but Coetzee says they are both still available for the Boks, and they could still play a role later in the tournament as this squad is only for the opening two matches against Argentina.

There are recalls for Bryan Habana, Oupa Mohoje and Vincent Koch, while the likes of Pat Lambie and Coenie Oosthuizen were not considered due to injury, along with long-term casualties Frans Malherbe, Siya Kolisi, Jan Serfontein, Handré Pollard and Cobus Reinach.

Two men who are unlucky to miss out on selection are Springbok Sevens stars Seabelo Senatla and Cheslin Kolbe, as well as Lions left wing Courtnall Skosan.

Overseas-based loose forwards Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw were surprisingly retained from the squad that beat Ireland 2-1 in June despite being well below their best, which means that someone like Lions captain Warren Whiteley will have to relinquish the No 8 jersey back to Vermeulen, who missed the Irish decider in Port Elizabeth due to injury.

Racing Metro utility back Goosen is believed to be a real option at fullback for Coetzee in the absence of Le Roux, with Jesse Kriel the only other viable option at No 15. “Johan Goosen has been in outstanding form for his club in France (at outside centre mainly and also fullback), and gives us a number of options in the backline with his versatility, while Francois Hougaard, Juan de Jongh and Bryan Habana were previously not available because of Springbok Sevens commitments,” Coetzee said in a statement on Saturday.

“We are fortunate to welcome back an experienced player such as Bryan, who will be able to provide great guidance to our young backs, while Juan and Francois also bring vast experience with them.”

Toulon’s Habana is then likely to reclaim the No 11 jersey for the Boks’ Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Nelspruit on August 20, with Goosen and Ruan Combrinck his possible back-three partners.

De Jongh will challenge both Damian de Allende and Lionel Mapoe for a midfield spot, while Hougaard could provide great impact off the bench for Faf de Klerk at scrumhalf.

Mohoje is right back in contention for the blindside flank role due to Kolisi’s injury, although Coetzee could move Louw to No 7 and bring in Jaco Kriel at openside, while Sikhumbuzo Notshe is also pushing for selection following an excellent Super Rugby campaign for the Stormers.

Elton Jantjies is sure to wear the No 10 jersey against Argentina, but Lambie’s continuing concussion problems sees Morné Steyn earn another call-up as the back-up flyhalf.

Prop Trevor Nyakane still has to receive medical clearance to play in the Championship, while there is a change in the team management, with Chean Roux replacing Jacques Nienaber as the defence coach.

Nienaber has joined his long-time confidante Rassie Erasmus at Munster in Ireland, which sees Roux promoted from the Saru Mobi-Unit into the Bok set-up.

Springbok Squad:

Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Jaco Kriel, Francois Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Teboho Mohoje, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Trevor Nyakane, Julian Redelinghuys, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley.

Backs: Ruan Combrinck, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, Faf de Klerk, Johan Goosen, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Lionel Mapoe, Lwazi Mvovo, Rudy Paige, Morné Steyn.

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@ashfakmohamed – Independent Media

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