Ten DHL Stormers called up to Bok camp
There are 10 DHL Stormers in an extended group of players who have been invited to the third Springbok training camp, from 21 to 23 May in Johannesburg.
Forwards Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi and Sikhumbuzo Notshe will be joined by backline players Dewaldt Duvenage, Jano Vermaak, Damian de Allende and Dillyn Leyds in a strong contingent of DHL Stormers in the Springbok group.
At the conclusion of the camp on May 23, the Springbok squad of 31 players for the Castle Lager Incoming Series next month against France will be announced, as well as the 26-man SA ‘A’ squad for their matches against the French Barbarians. Following next week’s announcement, the Springbok squad will gather in Plettenberg Bay from 28 May to 4 June to continue with preparations for the French series.
The latest training camp forms part of the Springboks’ preparation plans for the forthcoming international season and the squad will be based at Montecasino, Fourways. No players from the Toyota Cheetahs were included as they are on tour in New Zealand. As with the first two camps, there are also no overseas-based players amongst the training squad, adhering to Regulation 9 of World Rugby.
Next week’s final training camp in Johannesburg will give Springbok coach Allister Coetzee and his management team a last chance to have a close look at several candidates before the Bok coach announce his first official Springbok group of the year.
“As with the previous two camps, this assembly provides another chance for the coaches to cast the net wide and to have another closer look at certain positions,” explained Coetzee.
“There are again some new faces in the wider group who have shown consistently good form during Vodacom Super Rugby and the coaches are looking forward to continue with our preparations with the group. They are knocking hard on the door and will be in contention comes squad selection.
“We will announce the Springbok and SA ‘A’ squads after the camp and I can honestly say that there are still a number of positions up for grabs.”
During their three day stay in Johannesburg the players will undergo medical and conditioning assessments, attend gym and have a couple of field training sessions.
The SA ‘A’ squad will take on the French Barbarians in two matches, in Durban on 16 June and in Johannesburg on 23 June. They will assemble on Wednesday 7 June in Durban.
Springbok squad: Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Ruan Botha (Cell C Sharks), Chris Cloete (EP/Southern Kings), Andries Coetzee (Emirates Lions), Lionel Cronje (Southern Kings), Ross Cronje (Emirates Lions), Damian de Allende (DHL Stormers), Lood de Jager (Vodacom Bulls), Ruan Dreyer (Emirates Lions), Jean-Luc du Preez (Cell C Sharks), Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Stormers), Dewaldt Duvenage (DHL Stormers), Eben Etzebeth (DHL Stormers), Warrick Gelant (Vodacom Bulls), Lizo Gqoboka (Vodacom Bulls), Elton Jantjies (Emirates Lions), Siya Kolisi (DHL Stormers), Jaco Kriel (Emirates Lions), Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Bulls), Pat Lambie (Cell C Sharks), Dillyn Leyds (DHL Stormers), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Border/Southern Kings), Lionel Mapoe (Emirates Lions), Malcolm Marx (Emirates Lions), Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Emirates Lions), Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (DHL Stormers), Andisa Ntsila (SWD/Southern Kings), Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls), Coenie Oosthuizen (Cell C Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Cell C Sharks), Jan Serfontein (Vodacom Bulls), Courtnall Skosan (Emirates Lions), Jano Vermaak (DHL Stormers), Harold Vorster (Emirates Lions), Warren Whiteley (Emirates Lions).
