Former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad was confirmed in the Sharks’ Super 14 squad as SA Rugby announced its five squads for the southern-hemisphere provincial rugby tournament on Thursday.
Skinstad has not played serious rugby since 2003, but has come out of retirement in a bid to win a place in the Springbok World Cup squad.
The 30-year-old number eight has joined the Durban-based Sharks, but was left out of their last warm-up game on Wednesday because his conditioning was not yet up to standard, said coach Dick Muir.
In one change to previous seasons, the Johannesburg-based Cats’ name has been dropped. The team will appear as the Lions — their South African provincial guise.
The tournament, which also features South Africa’s Bulls, Cheetahs, Lions and Stormers, kicks off on February 2, a week earlier than usual because of the Rugby World Cup tournament in France later in the season.
Andy Marinos, manager of national teams at SA Rugby, said more local players will be able to gain valuable experience as a result of the expanded format introduced in 2006.
”We are looking forward to another challenging and competitive Vodacom Super 14 campaign. Our teams have prepared well for the tournament, and with the World Cup in mind, you can bet the players will use the opportunity to impress the national selectors,” he said.
Peter Jooste, convener of the national selectors, said he is pleased with and encouraged by the close cooperation between the Vodacom Super 14 coaches and the national teams department.
”I am confident that our common approach will be of great benefit to everyone in this very important World Cup year,” he said.
The Lions will kick off the South African participation in the competition when they host Australian visitors the Waratahs on Friday February 2 in Johannesburg. The match at Ellis Park starts at 7pm. The Lions team has a new coach in Eugene Eloff, who took over from Frans Ludeke.
The four remaining South African teams will contest two tough local derbies the following day. The Sharks welcome the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Durban, and the Vodacom-sponsored Cheetahs and Stormers will clash in the evening match in Bloemfontein. — Sapa, Reuters
CONFIRMED VODACOM SUPER 14 SQUADS FOR 2007
Bulls
Heini Adams, Gary Botha, Marius Delport, Tim Dlulane, Fourie du Preez, Jaco Engels, Adriaan Fondse, Bryan Habana, Derick Hougaard, Wayne Julies, Anton Leonard, Hilton Lobberts, John Mametsa, Victor Matfield, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Johan Roets, Danie Rossouw, Wessel Roux, Pierre Spies, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Morné Steyn, Danie Thiart, Wikus van Heerden, Francois van Schouwenburg, Pedrie Wannenburg, Frikkie Welsh.
Stefan Basson (Springbok Sevens), Danwel Demas (injured).
Cheetahs
Meyer Bosman, Philip Burger, Michael Claassens, Ronnie Cooke, Wian du Preez, Jannie du Plessis, Rory Duncan, Willem de Waal, Kabamba Floors, Bevin Fortuin, Eddie Fredericks, Alwyn Hollenbach, Marius Joubert, Herkie Kruger, Ollie le Roux, Tiger Mangweni, Jonathan Mokuena, Falie Oelschig, Barend Pieterse, Gavin Passens, Adriaan Strauss, Richardt Strauss, Hendro Scholtz, Juan Smith, CJ van der Linde, Corniel van Zyl, Darren Nell, Rayno van der Merwe, Zane Kirchner, Rayno Benjamin.
Os du Randt (injured), Barry Goodes (injured).
Lions
Willem Alberts, Jannie Boshoff, Ashton Constant, Jacques Cronje, Jaque Fourie, Gordon Gilfillan, Cobus Grobbelaar, Cobus Grobler, Enrico Januarie, Ernst Joubert, Doppies la Grange, Colin Lloyd, Louis Ludik, Kenny McKenzie, Brian Mujati, André Pretorius, Jaco Pretorius, Ethienne Reyneck, Earl Rose, Lawrence Sephaka, Bertus Smit, Louis Strydom, Solly Tybilika, Franco van der Merwe, Heinke van der Merwe, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Anton van Zyl, Janol Vermaak, Willie Wepener, Ashwin Willemse.
Sharks
Bradley Barritt, Skipper Badenhorst, Gcobani Bobo, Jacques Botes, Brendan Botha, Warren Britz, Deon Carstens, Keegan Daniel, Bismarck du Plessis, Adrian Jacobs, Ryan Kankowski, Rory Kockott, Kees Lensing, Heno Mentz, Cedric Mkhize, Percy Montgomery, Johann Muller, Waylon Murray, Odwa Ndungane, Dusty Noble, Sandile Nxumalo, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Bob Skinstad, John Smit, Francois Steyn, Andries Strauss, Steven Sykes, Albert van den Berg, AJ Venter.
Johan Ackerman, Craig Burden, Grant Rees, Scott Mathie (injured), Howard Noble (Springbok Sevens).
Stormers
Eddie Andrews, Gio Aplon, De Wet Barry, Andries Bekker, Selborne Boome, Gerrie Britz, Schalk Brits, Schalk Burger, Bolla Conradie, Jean de Villiers, Dylan Des Fountain, Robbie Diack, Huia Edmonds, Schalk Ferreira, Peter Grant, Brock Harris, Conrad Jantjes, JP Joubert, Tiaan Liebenberg, Justin Melck, JD Moller, Naas Olivier, Breyton Paulse, Joe Pietersen, Brent Russell, Ross Skeate, Egon Seconds, Corne Uys, Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson.
Tonderai Chavhanga, Chumani Booi (injured), Peter Louw, Francois van der Merwe.