South Africa’s convener of selectors Peter Jooste said on Sunday he was dismayed at the political interference which placed Luke Watson in the Springbok squad.
A 45-man squad was expected to be announced on Saturday, but Jooste said Watson, captain of the Stormers, was a late addition through an executive decision by South African Rugby president Oregan Hoskins, deputy president Koos Basson and vice-president Mike Stofile.
”The presidency felt that Luke needed to be included, and without our knowledge, they added him to the group,” Jooste told the Star newspaper.
”I’m not happy about the situation, because they’ve undermined us. We’ve been working towards the World Cup for three years now and have always worked around a key group of players.”
Jooste said coach Jake White was also unhappy with the move.
White and Watson have had a lengthy public dispute. Watson has accused White of stripping away the pride of the Springboks, while White has said Watson was too small for international rugby.
Stofile said he was ”not 100% happy with the squad”.
”It wasn’t only the absence of Watson that irked us,” Stofile said. ”All we wanted to see was the best players, irrespective of their colour, given an opportunity. Only then will it be possible to select a final World Cup squad of 30 on merit.”
Watson was one of four uncapped players in the squad, which included 13 black players, and will gather on Wednesday to prepare for the first Test against England on May 26 in Bloemfontein. — Sapa