Bok boost ‘surreal’ for Catrakilis

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 07: Demetri Catrakallis during the Southern Kings training session and press conference from Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on May 07, 2013 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images)

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 07: Demetri Catrakallis during the Southern Kings training session and press conference from Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on May 07, 2013 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images)

Published May 23, 2013

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Cape Town – Demetri Catrakilis says it is a “bit surreal” to have been called up to the Springbok training squad on Wednesday.

Southern Kings flyhalf Catrakilis became the ninth South African player to score 100 points in his debut Super Rugby season this year, and his steady play and consistent goal-kicking has seen him catch the eye of Bok coach Heyneke Meyer.

“It’s a dream come true for me. It’s something I’ve been striving towards for the past two years, but ever since I’ve been a kid, it’s been a dream of mine, and to eventually be here is a bit surreal,” Catrakilis told the Cape Times yesterday via email from Port Elizabeth.

“I’m satisfied with what I have done so far, I could always get better. I’ve learnt in life that some things come at the right time, and this (playing Super Rugby) came at the right time for me. I’m just grateful for the opportunity and had to grab it with both hands.”

Perhaps Catrakilis’s match-winning exploits for Western Province in last year’s Currie Cup final, when he slotted two drop goals, registered him on Meyer’s radar, and the 23-year-old “Greek God” said he was “thankful” for the experience he gained in the Cape.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee told the Cape Times on Wednesday that he had been impressed with Catrakilis’s growth since he left WP. “Dim has played excellently, and that is what he was looking for – a regular start. He’s really done well and played a matured game. He is a great kicker of the ball and is a director of play, and he has stepped up defensively,” the coach said.

Catrakilis was one of eight new players included in the 38-man Bok group for a training camp starting in Durban on Sunday. Stormers and Cheetahs fans will be excited to see two of their favourites, Gio Aplon and Willie le Roux, are in the group after both failed to make the cut for the first training camp in Cape Town in mid-April.

The other new faces are Cheetahs duo Trevor Nyakane and Lappies Labuschagne, Bulls pair JJ Engelbrecht and Lionel Mapoe, as well as Sharks prop Wiehahn Herbst.

Saru announced on Wednesday that JP Pietersen, Jaco Taute, Frans Steyn, Johan Goosen, Duane Vermeulen, Pat Cilliers and Frans Malherbe were not considered due to injury. Andries Bekker was also overlooked as he is unavailable when he moves to Japan.

Injuries to Pietersen, Taute and Steyn have forced Meyer’s hand in selecting Aplon and Le Roux, but it doesn’t mean that they will play against Italy, Scotland and maybe Samoa.

Zane Kirchner is still the No 1 fullback, but he hasn’t played much due to a fractured finger, and may be out for another week or two. This could see Pat Lambie filling in at No 15 until Kirchner is 100% fit, as Morné Steyn has been in sublime form for the Bulls.

There is an opening at right wing with Pietersen out injured, but any one out of Lwazi Mvovo, Bjorn Basson and JJ Engelbrecht are likely to be considered ahead of Aplon and Le Roux as they have been first in the queue under Meyer.

“Overseas-based players were not considered for this camp as some are still playing in their respective finals this coming weekend,” Meyer said. “They are at the end of their seasons and need a well-deserved break.”

That means a recall for French-based forwards Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw could be on the cards as they are involved in the French club semi-finals this weekend, while Bath’s Francois Louw and Ulster’s Ruan Pienaar are the other overseas-based players likely to be picked when the final squad is announced on June 1.

BOK TRAINING GROUP

Forwards: Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Coenie Oosthuizen, Wiehahn Herbst, Adriaan Strauss, Bismarck du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Eben Etzebeth, Flip van der Merwe, Juandré Kruger, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Marcell Coetzee, Willem Alberts, Arno Botha, Lappies Labuschagne, Pierre Spies, Ryan Kankowski.

Backs: Jano Vermaak, Francois Hougaard, Pat Lambie, Morné Steyn, Elton Jantjies, Demetri Catrakilis, Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh, Jan Serfontein, Robert Ebersohn, JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana, Lwazi Mvovo, Raymond Rhule, Lionel Mapoe, Bjorn Basson, Gio Aplon, Zane Kirchner, Willie le Roux. – Cape Times

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