Francois Steyn included in Bok training squad
The Springbok selectors have named a training squad of 29 players to attend a four-day camp in Johannesburg next week in preparation for the home leg of the Vodacom Tri-Nations tournament, which kicks off on August 21.
The final squad of 24 for the three home Tests will be confirmed on Friday 13 August and will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday 15 August. The match 22 for the Test against the All Blacks at Soccer City will be announced on Tuesday 17 August.
The group includes the bulk of the squad that did duty during the away leg of the competition, with only Andries Bekker and Ruan Pienaar unavailable due to injury.
Three players have been recalled – Cheetahs flank Juan Smith and Sharks wing JP Pietersen, who have made a successful return from injury, and Racing Metro fullback Frans Steyn who last played against Wales in June. Steyn was, however, injured in a pre-season game on Friday and will undergo a scan in Paris on Tuesday to determine the extent of the injury.
Two more players who are returning from injury – Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis and Vodacom Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brussöw – have been invited to join the group.
Centre Jaque Fourie is serving a suspension and cannot be considered for selection for the Johannesburg Test on 21 August.
The Boks will face Australia in subsequent Tests in Pretoria (August 28) and Bloemfontein (September 4).
Provisional Bok squad:
Forwards:
BJ Botha (Ulster)
Schalk Burger (Vodacom Stormers)
Jannie du Plessis (Sharks)
Ryan Kankowski (Sharks)
Francois Louw (Vodacom Stormers)
Victor Matfield (Vodacom Bulls)
Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
Dewald Potgieter (Vodacom Bulls)
Chiliboy Ralepelle (Vodacom Bulls)
Danie Rossouw (Vodacom Bulls)
John Smit (Sharks, Captain)
Juan Smith (Vodaocm Cheetahs)
Pierre Spies (Vodacom Bulls)
Gurthro Steènkámp (Vodacom Bulls)
CJ van der Linde (Vodacom Cheetahs)
Flip van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls)
Backs:
Gio Aplon (Vodacom Stormers)
Juan de Jongh (Vodacom Stormers)
Jean de Villiers (Vodacom Stormers)
Jaque Fourie (Vodacom Stormers)
Bryan Habana (Vodacom Stormers)
Francois Hougaard (Vodacom Bulls)
Ricky Januarie (Vodacom Stormers)
Butch James (Bath)
Zane Kirchner (Vodacom Bulls)
Wynand Olivier (Vodacom Bulls)
JP Pietersen (Sharks)
Frans Steyn (Racing Metro)
Morne Steyn (Vodacom Bulls)
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