DAVID SHAPSHAK, Cape Town | Monday 5.00pm.
THREE rising black stars have been included in the four Super 12 2000 squads, named in Cape Town on Monday, but there is no place for eighthman AJ Venter until his contractual wrangles are concluded.
Centres Wayne Julies and Kaya Malotana, part of the Springbok squad for last year’s World Cup, have been included in the Stormers and Cats’ squads respectively.
Mac Masina, the Lions’ star in last year’s Vodacom Cup, is also in the Cats line-up.
But Venter, one of the outstanding players of last year’s southern hemisphere tournament, is trying to leave the Golden Lions for the Natal Sharks but his former province is objecting over a contract clause that allows them to better any other offers he receives. His contract with Ellis Park expired at the end of December.
Other newcomers are Springbok Sevens captain Roger Smith (Sharks) former Falcons lock Wayne Boardman,(Stormers) and SA Under 21 winger Friedrich Lombard (Cats).
Former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains makes his Super 12 coaching debut with the Cats, the only side not to name their captain. Ruben Kruger will lead the Northern Bulls, Bob Skinsatd the Stormers and Wayne Fyvie the Sharks.
Springboks on the move to other regions are flyhalf Gaffie du Toit and lock Albert van den Berg (Cats to Sharks), while joining them is ex Northern Bulls centre Andre Snyman, who will make his return to Super 12 once his ankle has fully healed.
The squads comprise of 30 players with a further 5 players, known as “untouchables”, who are injured at present and will rejoin their squads when they are fit. These players cannot be called upon by other Super 12 regions.