Juan Smith assumes Springbok captaincy
Vodacom Cheetahs flanker Juan Smith was on Sunday named as captain of the Springbok squad for Saturday’s season-ending finale against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Smith assumes the captaincy from Victor Matfield who was one of seven players released as the squad was reduced to 23 players.
Matfield and Jean de Villiers were both injured in the 21-11 victory over England on Saturday and they are joined by five other players in returning to their homes. Matfield suffered a rib cartilage injury while De Villiers has a mild groin strain.
Frans Steyn (Racing Metro) and Ruan Pienaar (Ulster) return to their European clubs as Saturday’s match falls outside the November international window. The Vodacom Blue Bulls trio of Pierre Spies, Morné Steyn and Deon Stegmann have also been released to return to South Africa.
The Springbok team for the match will be named on Wednesday.
The Springbok squad for the match against the Barbarians is:
Backs: Gio Aplon, Francois Hougaard, Adi Jacobs, Elton Jantjies, Zane Kirchner, Patrick Lambie, Charl McLeod, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane.
Forwards: Willem Alberts, Bakkies Botha, Keegan Daniel, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Alistair Hargreaves, Ryan Kankowski, Bandise Maku, Tendai Mtawarira, Coenie Oosthuizen, Juan Smith (captain), Adriaan Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe.
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