In yet another 2020 first, the Springboks are set to play an internal game on Saturday 3 October at Newlands Stadium as a Springbok Green team take on the Springbok Gold.
On Friday, 25 September Director of SA Rugby Rassie Erasmus and Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber selected the two sides in a ‘schoolyard’ draft process with each allowed to pick one player at a time until a full 25 man squad was formed.
In total, there will be 13 Rugby World Cup winners across the two squads including winning captain Siya Kolisi who will likely captain the Springbok Green squad.
After the initial 93 players were whittled down to 50, there was already an exciting mix of both current and experienced players coupled alongside some exciting youngsters who will hope to put their hands up for future higher honours.
With the Springboks current participation in the Rugby Championship still up in the air, the match provides the players with an opportunity to not only gain more match fitness ahead of the commencement of the local Super Rugby and Currie Cup tournaments but will also allow the coaches a chance to start formulating a squad and plan for the coming years.
“The draft picks exercise was a refreshing way to select the two squads for the game,” Erasmus said.
“Myself, Jacques and the coaches thoroughly enjoyed the exercise, but the tension of picking squads on live television wasn’t good for the nerves… I hope our fans enjoyed something new on the South African rugby landscape.”
Springbok Green squad:
Props: Ox Nche*, Thomas du Toit**, Trevor Nyakane**, Luan de Bruin
Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi**, Schalk Erasmus
Locks: JD Schickerling, Hyron Andrews, Oupa Mohoje*
Looseforwards: Siya Kolisi**, Arno Botha8, Duane Vermeulen**, Junior Pokomela, Juarno Augustus
Scrumhalves: Sanele Nohamba, Embrose Papier*
Flyhalves: Elton Jantjies**, Manie Libbok
Centres: Frans Steyn**, Wandisile Simelane, Jeremy Ward
Outside backs: Seabelo Senatla, Yaw Penxe, Gianni Lombard, Malcolm Jaer
Springbok Gold squad:
Props: Steven Kitshoff**, Dylan Smith, Frans Malherbe**, Ruan Dreyer
Hookers: Scarra Ntubeni*, Dylan Richardson
Locks: Salmaan Moerat, Marvin Orie*, Jason Jenkins*
Looseforwards: Marco van Staden*, Nizaam Carr*, Sikhumbuzo Notshe*; Vincent Tshituka, James Venter
Scrumhalves: Herschel Jantjies**, Jaden Hendrikse
Flyhalves: Damian Willemse**, Curwin Bosch*
Centres: Rikus Pretorius, Lukhanyo Am**, Werner Kok, Manuel Rass
Outside backs: Sergeal Petersen, Rosko Specman, Warrick Gelant**
** denotes Springbok RWC squad members
*denotes capped Springbok test players
