Johannesburg – The omission of Heinrich Brüssow from the 38-man Springbok training group for next month’s Tests can mean only one thing: Bok boss Heyneke Meyer will in all likelihood stick with the No6 who did such a fantastic job for him in 2012, Francois (Flow) Louw.
While Brüssow has been in outstanding form for the Cheetahs this season and has expressed his willingness to work as hard as he can to get back into the national side, Meyer has again overlooked the tormentor of the 2009 British and Irish Lions for the training camp in Durban next week.
Instead, Meyer has opted to work with Siya Kolisi and Marcell Coetzee as his specialist openside flankers, while Louw – who won’t be at the training camp – could join the final squad when it is named next Saturday, a week before the Test against Italy in Durban.
Louw was recalled to the Bok team for last year’s Rugby Championship trip to Australasia and so impressed Meyer that he said the following of the Bath-based player ahead of the tour to Europe in November: “I can just see what a huge influence Francois has had on the team. I’d never worked with him before this; only seen his games. You only get a sense of a player once you’ve seen what he can bring to the table. It was a long shot then, and I think he’s one of the best open-siders in the world now.
“He’s really played well against Richie McCaw in both (Castle Rugby Championship) games.”
Meyer also praised Louw’s performances on the November tour where he combined with Duane Vermeulen and Willem Alberts to terrorise the Irish, Scottish and English. Louw will feature for the Barbarians against England at Twickenham on Sunday and may also play for them against the 2013 British and Irish Lions in Hong Kong on June 1.
Brüssow is not the only loose forward who can count himself unlucky to miss out on the Bok training group. Cheetahs No8 Philip van der Walt will feel he deserves a look-in and so, too, the Kings trio of Wimpie van der Walt, Cornell du Preez and Jacques Engelbrecht.
But the Cheetahs’ outstanding Lappies Labuschagne has been rewarded with a call-up for the first time and so, too, his teammates Willie le Roux and Trevor Nyakane. They are three of seven Cheetahs in the training group, the others being Coenie Oosthuizen, Adriaan Strauss, Robert Ebersohn and Raymond Rhule.
The other players who Meyer will consider who weren’t at the first training session a month ago are Gio Aplon, JJ Engelbrecht, Lionel Mapoe, Wiehahn Herbst and Demetri Catrakilis.
Kings director of rugby Alan Solomons said he was chuffed Catrakilis has been “rewarded” for his form in his first season of Super Rugby. “Demetri has really played fantastic rugby this season and fully deserves getting the recognition for his contribution that he has made,” he said.
Eastern Province Rugby President, Cheeky Watson, said Catrakilis’ call-up was a testament to what was being accomplished by the new Kings franchise. “This is just another example of how players, who may previously not have been afforded the opportunity to play at Super Rugby level, have shown the world what they can do through the Southern Kings. These youngsters have stepped up to the challenge and have outperformed even our wildest expectations.”
Besides Louw, Meyer may consider calling up Ruan Pienaar from Ulster in Northern Ireland, especially when one considers the scrumhalf was the first choice on the November tour and that only two scrumhalves – Francois Hougaard and Jano Vermaak – are in the training squad.
Seven injured players, who were part of Springbok squads in 2012, were not considered for selection as they will not be fit to play in June. They are JP Pietersen, Jaco Taute, Frans Steyn, Johan Goosen, Vermeulen, Pat Cilliers and Frans Malherbe. Furthermore Andries Bekker, who is not available due to club commitments later this season in Japan, wasn’t considered for selection. There’s also doubt over Juan de Jongh, who is expected to be out of action for three weeks with a finger injury.
Meyer said he was impressed with the form of a number of the country’s top players. “It looks like most of the guys are improving weekly and a few new players have put up their hands, which is good to see with the first Test only a few weeks away,” said Meyer.
“We’ve also been very impressed with the form shown by a number of players since we were together in April. This camp will provide us with a great opportunity to work with these players before the squad for the Castle Lager Incoming Series is finalised.”
Players invited to the Durban camp
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. – The Star