Johan Goosen is the only player designated as a specialist flyhalf in a 26-man Springbok squad for a three-day training camp to prepare for the November tour of the northern hemisphere.
The group includes 17 South African-based players and nine who are currently plying their trade in Japan. All 26 players formed part of Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber’s squads that participated in the incoming series against Wales and the Rugby Championship.
They will be in the Stellenbosch-based camp from Sunday, 23 October until Wednesday, 26 October, when those involved in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship will return to their respective teams.
In the absence of Elton Jantjies and the injured Handre Pollard, Vodacom Bulls playmaker Johan Goosen is the only player listed in the flyhalf category. Damian Willemse, whose two most recent Test starts were at flyhalf in the Rugby Championship, is in the training squad but has been relegated to the role of a utility back.
The results of an SARugbymag poll saw Goosen edge Willemse as the favourite to start in an emergency situation where Pollard is not available for selection.
Despite the inclusion of several Stormers players in the squad, hooker Joseph Dweba was a notable omission from the training group with ‘utility forward’ Deon Fourie ostensibly serving as the third-choice hooker.
Canan Moodie, who is nursing a hamstring injury, is among those invited to the camp to allow the Springbok medical team to assess the extent of his injury.
The Springboks will play four Tests on consecutive Saturdays next month – against Ireland in Dublin on 5 November, France in Marseille on 12 November, Italy in Genoa on 19 November and England in London on 26 November.
The SA A team, coached by Mzwandile Stick, will play two mid-week matches – against Munster on Thursday, 10 November, and the Bristol Bears a week later on 17 November.
The final Springbok and SA A touring squads will be named on Friday, 28 October. The Springboks will travel to Dublin on Sunday, 30 October and the 20 SA A players will depart for Ireland a week later on Saturday, 5 November, to begin their preparations for the clash with Munster in Cork.
Players invited to Bok training camp:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (both Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks)
Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks)
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers)
Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)
Utility Forwards: Deon Fourie (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)
Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks)
Flyhalf: Johan Goosen (Bulls)
Centres: Jesse Kriel (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Sbu Nkosi (Bulls)
Utility back: Damian Willemse (Stormers)
Photo: Dave Hunt/EPA
