To all the boys who read this article. If your name appears below YOU ARE NOT A SPRINGBOK and to the boys not mentioned YOU CAN BECOME A SPRINGBOK.
In an interesting exercise we approached 30 people to select players in each position that in their opinion will still be playing professional rugby at a level of Super Rugby or International level.
8 people that is respected rugby talent identifiers, including 2 from Super Franchises and a SA Schools Selector also send in their lists. Then 12 old farts like myself got to add their votes and just to be all inclusive one completely insane female was given some say. 11 did not submit their team in time or ignored me.
In order to be listed below the players must have been on the list of the eight respected gentleman and have three or more votes in total. Then the names was sorted in popularity and a touring team of 35 was chosen, 20 forwards and 15 backs. The selector panel's starting 15 is indicated in red.
Interesting Facts:
- Wing and lock seems to be in short supply this year.
- 7 out of 15 Players is non white - so quotas NOT NEEDED
1. Cabous Eloff (AHS), Kiewiet Kayden (Hugenote), Nathan Macbeth (Monnas)
2. Liam Larkin (SACS), PJ Botha (Monnas), Schalk Erasmus (AHS)
3. Dewald Maritz (Nelspruit), Mornay Smith (Eldoraigne) Sazi Sansi (St Andrews)
4. PJ Steenkamp (Garsies), Salmaan Moerat (Boishaai)
5. JJ vd Mescht (Glenwood), Ruan Vermaak (Monnas)
6. Franke Horn (Boishaai), Regardt du Plessis (AHS)
7. Dian Schoonees (Grey Bloem), Muller Uys (Paarl Gym), Philip Krause (AHS)
8. Khanya Ncusane (Boishaai), Kwezi Mafu (Grey PE)
9. Ambrose Papier (Garsies), Deon Carstens (Boland Landbou), Jack Hart (AHS)
10. Damian Willemse (Paul Roos), Ruan de Swardt (AHS) Theo Boshoff (Paarl Gim)
11. Muller du Plessis (Paarl Gym)
12. Louritz vd Schyff (AHS), Rikus Pretorius (Grey Bloem), Wandisile Simelane (Jeppe)
13. Janco van Heiningen (Grey Bloem), Manny Ras (Boishaai)
14. Mike Mavovana (Rondebosch)
15. Abner van Reenen (Garsies), Gianni Loambaard (Boishaai)