Stick selects 14 Boks for SA A team

Johan Goosen will start at flyhalf as the South African A coach Mzwandile Stick included 14 uncapped players for the side’s midweek game against Munster in Cork on Thursday.

With all the talk on goalkicking, Goosen gets his chance to impress the selectors at 10, while there was a recall for the Du Preez twins - Dan and Jean-Luc, who were called up to the squad on Saturday and two players from the Springbok squad joined the A side - Jason Jenkins and Thomas du Toit.

Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, who was originally expected to join Stick and his coaching team in Cork, meanwhile, joined the Springbok team in France, although he will continue to assist the SA A coaches remotely.

The team has one eye on the future with a backline that includes Suleiman Hartzenberg and Henco van Wyk, surrounded by capped Boks Aphelele Fassi and Cornal Hendricks with Leolin Zas on the other wing.

Herschel Jantjies will partner Goosen at halfback while up front Jean-Luc Du Preez, Elrigh Louw and Phepsi Buthelezi form a promising loose trio alongside Ruan Nortje and Jason Jenkins in the second row.

Du Toit captains the side from tighthead, with Joseph Dweba and Ntuthuko Mnchunu in the front row.

There are a further three Springboks on the replacements bench in Dan du Preez, Sikhumbuzo Notshe (loose forward) and Grant Williams (scrumhalf).

Stick’s bench also features exciting young players in Andre-Hugo Venter (hooker), Simphiwe Matanzima and Sazi Sandi (both props) among the forwards, with former Junior Springboks Sanele Nohamba and Gianni Lombard (both utility backs) as backline cover.

“We are pleased with the quality of the squad we selected, and we are confident that with this thrilling blend of experienced and young players have what it takes to perform against Munster,” said Stick.

“One of the main reasons for selecting SA A and Springbok teams for the year-end tour was to cast our net as wide as possible to test our player depth less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup, while also giving as many players as possible top-class game time.

“Most of these players have either been in the Springbok squad in the last two seasons, or they have been on our radar, so this is an ideal opportunity to see them in action against what will be a physical and challenging encounter.”

Stick said the team has been working hard to get their structures in place after assembling in Cork on Sunday, and that every minute on the training field will count in ensuring that they deliver a classy showing.

“The SA ‘A’ coaches had the luxury of spending the week with the Springboks last week, where they attended all the coaches’ meetings and training sessions to give them a taste of Test rugby and what they will expect this week, and this allowed us to hit the ground running,” said Stick.

“The coaches, players and team management know what is expected of them and we are working hard to implement our structures as effectively and efficiently as possible, and I have no doubt we will be a tight unit by the time we take the field.”

Of the challenge posed by Munster, Stick said: “They are one of the top club teams and they balance their physicality with exciting backline play, so we are going to be tested thoroughly.

“That said, we have named an equally exciting team and we have a number of leaders in core positions. Every one of our players will also want to make the most of this opportunity to throw their names in the hat for World Cup selection, which will serve as an extra motivational factor to showcase their talent.”

SA ‘A’ team to face Munster in Cork: Aphelele Fassi; Suleiman Hartzenberg, Henco van Wyk, Cornal Hendricks, Leolin Zas; Johan Goosen, Herschel Jantjies; Jean-Luc du Preez, Elrigh Louw, Phepsi Buthelezi, Ruan Nortje, Jason Jenkins, Thomas du Toit (captain), Joseph Dweba, Ntuthuko Mnchunu.

Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Simphiwe Matanzima, Sazi Sandi, Dan du Preez, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Grant Williams, Sanele Nohamba, Gianni Lombard.