SA Rugby on Thursday announced the final squads of its four franchises that will participate in the 2005 Vodacom Rugby Super 12 competition.
The competition kicks off next weekend, when the four local franchises will be doing battle in two derby matches. On Friday February 25, the Stormers face the Sharks at Newlands in Cape Town. A day later, the Cats will host the Bulls at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
The games start at 7.10pm and 5pm on the respective days. This year, each of the four local regional teams will have eight black players in their final squads of 30.
Johan Prinsloo, CEO of SA Rugby, said this is in line with the development and transformation objectives of the national rugby organisation.
”Black players must get actual game time on the pitch if they are to develop to their full potential, and in so doing, they will also actively contribute to the development and transformation of our game. In this regard, we believe that the Vodacom Rugby Super 12 coaches are sincere in their contribution towards the development of the game and reaching our transformation goals.
”The competition will provide all of our players with the ideal platform to test their skills against the very best of the southern hemisphere.
”SA Rugby is confident that our players will hold their own against their Australasian counterparts and again contribute towards the exciting brand of rugby this competition has traditionally delivered,” said Prinsloo. — Sapa
Final South African squads for the 2005 Vodacom Super 12 series
Bulls: Heini Adams, Richard Bands, Botha Bakkies, Ettienne Botha, Gary Botha, Warren Brosnihan, Danie Coetzee, Jacques Cronje, Danwel Demas, Tim Dlulane, Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana, Derick Hougaard, Andries Human, Ricardo Loubscher, Kees Lensing, Anton Leonard, John Mametsa, Victor Matfield, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Trompie Nontshinga, Wynand Olivier, Johan Roets, Danie Rossouw, Wessel Roux, Morne Steyn, Francois Van Schouwenburg, Ruan Vermeulen, Pedrie Wannenburg.
Cats: Chumani Booi, Schalk Brits, Michael Claassens, Willem de Waal, Paul Delport, Naka Drotske, Boela du Plooy, Jacque Fourie, Edrich Fredericks, Gordon Gilfillan, Barry Goodes, Cobus
Grobbelaar, Trevor Hall, Marius Hurter, Conrad Jantjes, Wayne Julies, Ollie le Roux, Jorrie Muller, Barend Pieterse, Neil Powell, Andre Pretorius, Hendro Scholtz, Lawrence Sephaka, Juanne Smith, Tiaan Snyman, Dewey Swartbooi, CJ van der Linde, Wickus van Heerden, Rich Verster, Ashwin Willemse.
Injured players — later available for Cats: Os du Randt, Enrico Janurie, Lukas van Biljon, Gerhard Vosloo, Russell Winter.
Sharks: Brent Russell, Odwa Ndungane, Henno Mentz, Dean Hall, Gcobani Bobo, Trevor Halstead, Herkie Kruger, Butch James, Craig Davidson, Ruan Pienaar, Jaco Gouws, Braam Immelman, Jacques Botes, Warren Britz, Solly Tyibilika, Bian Vermaak, Albert van den Berg, Nico Breedt, Johan van Zyl, Brendon Botha, Eduard Coetzee, Danie Saayman, Wian du Preez, Skipper Badenhorst, John Smit, Adrian Jacobs, Tsepo Kokoali, Cedric Mkhize, Sandile Nxumalo, Mzwandile
Stick.
Injured players — later available for Sharks: Deon Carstens, Johan Muller, AJ Venter.
Stormers: Adri Badenhorst, Andries Bekker, Bolla Conradie, Breyton Paulse, Chris Rossouw, David Hendriks, De Wet Barry, Eddie Andrews, Faan Rautenbach, Gaffie du Toit, Gerrie Britz, Gus Theron, Jean de Villiers, Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson, Marius Joubert, Neil de Kock, Pat Barnard, Pieter Dixon, Quinton Davids, Riaan Olckers, Rob Linde, Schalk Burger, Tiger Mangweni, Tonderai Chavhanga, Werner Greeff, Tertius Carse, JD Moller, Egon Seconds, Hanyani Shimange.
Injured player — later available for Stormers: Ross Skeate.