Investec Stormers confirm preliminary squad

Three of the four SA squads – Cats, Sharks and the Investec Stormers – must still add players, whilst the Bulls have confirmed a full squad of 30 players. The final four squads of 30 must be confirmed with SANZAR by 4 February.

MD of SA Rugby Johan Prinsloo said that each of the final squads would contain eight black players, the most ever at this level.

This had been decided at a meeting in Johannesburg on January 10, which was attended by the Deputy President of SA Rugby, the national coach, the national selectors and coaches of each of the four regional teams.

The MD described this as an important step for SA Rugby. “The Vodacom Super 12 competition is an international competition where our players’ skills are tested against the very best of Australia and New Zealand.

“At this meeting is was decided that all contracted players and those earmarked for national selection will be tested for conditioning and vision skills. Their progress will be monitored throughout the season.

“I am also thankful for the Sharks who agreed to include a player like Solly Tyibilika although he had moved out of their region to another province,” said Prinsloo.

The Vodacom Super 12 competition kicks off on Friday, 25 February 2005, when the Investec Stormers clash with the Sharks in Cape Town.

The Stormers’ squad include new recruits Faan Rautenbach, Luke Watson, Hanyani Shimange and Riaan Olckers. Lightning quick wing Tonderai Chavhanga is also back after making quite an impression in his first season with the Cape team last year.

Investec Stormers preliminary squad:

ANDREWS Eddie
BADENHORST Adri
BARNARD Pat
BARRY De Wet
BRITZ David
BRITZ Gerrie
BURGER Schalk
CHAVHANGA Tonderai
CONRADIE Bolla
DAVIDS Quinton
DE KOCK Neil
DE VILLIERS Jean
DIXON Pieter
DU TOIT Gaffie
GREEFF Werner
JOUBERT Marius
OLCKERS Riaan
PAULSE Breyton
RAUTENBACH Faan
ROSSOUW Chris
SECONDS Egon
SHIMANGE Hanyani
SKEATE Ross
THERON Gus
VAN NIEKERK Joe
WATSON Luke