South Africa selectors on Tuesday picked only two hookers among the 28-man squad announced for next month’s Tri-Nations matches against New Zealand and Australia.
Captain John Smit and Bismarck du Plessis are the only hookers in a squad that includes 13 backs and 15 forwards.
It is a somewhat surprising decision considering Smit will only join up with his teammates early next week. He will play for his French club, Clermont, in the final of the Top 14 competition this weekend before joining his teammates.
The Boks face New Zealand in Wellington on July 5 and a week later in Dunedin, before moving on to Perth to tackle the Australians on July 19.
World Cup wing JP Pietersen, who has yet to wear the green and gold this year, has been handed a recall to the squad despite failing to score a single try for the Sharks in this year’s Super 14 competition.
He has been training with the Springbok squad in an effort to regain form and confidence. He effectively takes the place of Stormers wing Tonderai Chavangha.
Among the other players dropped from the squad that featured against Wales and Italy recently are tighthead prop BJ Botha and centre Gcobani Bobo.
Injured number eight Ryan Kankowski, who took a heavy knock to the head during last weekend’s match against Italy, has been selected and will tour with the team.
He will be assessed on tour and put through a number of tests to determine whether he is fit to play.
The Boks depart for Wellington on Thursday, with certain members of the team management leaving the country a day later.
South Africa squad:
Backs:
Bolla Conradie, Jean de Villiers, Peter Grant, Butch James, Conrad Jantjes, Adrian Jacobs, Enrico Januarie, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn
Forwards:
Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Bismarck du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, John Smit (captain), Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson. — AFP
