South Africa recalled former captain Bob Skinstad and included four uncapped players in a 46-man World Cup training squad on Saturday.
The 30-year-old Skinstad came out of retirement earlier this year in a bid to win a place in the Springbok squad for the first time since 2003. He has largely appeared as a replacement loose forward in the Sharks’ run to the Super 14 final.
Uncapped hooker Bismarck du Plessis, flanker Luke Watson, centre Waylon Murray and wing Odwa Ndungane were also included. Odwa is the identical twin of wing Akona Ndungane.
Watson’s inclusion was a surprise. The Stormers captain had been critical of Springbok coach Jake White when he was overlooked in 2006. Watson told a magazine in August that White had ”lost the integrity, honour and pride that the Bok should be about”.
The Springboks play their first test of the year against England in Bloemfontein on May 26. – Sapa
Squad:
Backs: Tonderai Chavhanga, Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Bevin Fortuin, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Wayne Julies, Percy Montgomery, Waylon Murray, Odwa Ndungane, Akona Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Breyton Paulse, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Andre Pretorius, Jaco Pretorius, Frans Steyn, Ashwin Willemse.
Forwards: Johan Ackermann, Eddie Andrews, BJ Botha, Bakkies Botha, Gary Botha, Gerrie Britz, Schalk Burger, Deon Carstens, Bismarck du Plessis, Os du Randt, Kabamba Floors, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, Danie Rossouw, Bob Skinstad, John Smit, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp, Albert van den Berg, CJ van der Linde, Wikus van Heerden, Joe van Niekerk, AJ Venter, Luke Watson. – Reuters 2007