Evan Roos and Manie Libbok were both left out of the South Africa A side as the DHL Stormers duo are training with the Springboks ahead of the Test against France on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
Against expectations, neither Roos nor Libbok were included in the SA A matchday 23 to take on Munster in Cork on Thursday evening.
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Instead, the duo, along with Stormers teammates Salmaan Moerat and Marvin Orie, have been retained in the Springbok squad and could feature in Saturday’s Test in Marseille.
This comes as the Springboks are busy contending with a couple of injuries, as Lood de Jager has been ruled out of the match with a shoulder injury, while Jasper Wiese was concussed in the loss to Ireland in Dublin.
“We have injuries with our main team at the Springboks,” coach Mzwandile Stick told the media on Monday. “Lood de Jager is out for this week. Jasper Wiese is going through concussion protocols. We are not sure if he is going to be ready this week.
“If it wasn’t for those injuries, Evan Roos and Marvin Orie would have joined us in the SA A squad. They are with the Springboks at the moment.”
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Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was also expected to take part for SA A, but has not been risked after taking a knock in training.
“Sacha last week picked up a bit of a knock in the training sessions. It’s not a case of him being injured. It’s just on the Springbok side they wanted to spend more time with him to make sure he is prepared so if there is an opportunity, then he will be able to play.
“Manie was originally supposed to join us, but because of the injury reports he had to be pulled back to give the Springboks extra numbers. He stands a chance to be selected for the Boks.”
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The change of plans prompted a surprise call-up for the Du Preez twins – Jean-Luc and Daniel – to the SA A squad on Sunday and both will be involved in the match on Thursday.
“I am excited for Jean-Luc and Dan, we know what they have done in the past. They have been superb for Sale Sharks. They have always tried to put their hands up for the Springboks. I am excited to work with them.”
Stick has also had to name a bench with two scrumhalves – Grant Williams and Sanele Nohamba – and a flyhalf in Gianni Lombard.
“We presented our plans to the team and the guys are 100% aligned. The first priority with Grant Williams is he is a scrumhalf and he wants a fair opportunity. So he is a backup nine. The same goes for Sanele. At junior level, he also covered at flyhalf.
“Gianni Lombard is a utility back. I coached him at the Junior Boks and we played him at wing as well. I am not concerned about our bench. We have got footballers who can cover different positions and we have a good mixture.”
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Photo: Twitter: @Springboks
