8 May 2014
The South African Rugby Union on Wednesday named more players, including a number of Europe-based South Africans, as part of a strong World XV to take on the Springboks in their opening test match of 2014 at Newlands, Cape Town on 7 June.
One man sure to receive a warm welcome from the Newlands crowd is former Western Province and Stormers’ favourite Schalk Brits, who is currently plying his trade with English club Saracens, which has a strong South African influence and is currently top of the Aviva Premiership standings.
Former Sharks and Springbok lock Allister Hargreaves, a team-mate of Brits at the London club, was also named, as was fellow lock Juandre Kruger, who plays for French side Racing Metro.
Top 14 Player of the Year
Also from France, last year’s Top 14 Player of the Year, Rory Kockott, of champions Castres, will bring his nuggety presence and trusty goal-kicking boot to the scrumhalf position.
Like Kockott, prop Schalk Ferreira, who is with Toulouse, is one of the few players who have not been capped internationally in the World XV, which will be coached by former Springbok coach Nick Mallett.
Front row
In the front row, Ferreira will be joined by former All Black prop Carl Hayman and 2007 Springbok World Cup winner BJ Botha, who were previously named in the team.
Also up front, France eighthman Julien Bonnaire and England loose forward Steffon Armitage were also previously announced in the squad in April.
Backline
Those named in the backline include the Wallabies’ James O’Connor, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell, All Black winger Hosea Gear and French flyhalf François Trinh-Duc, in what is shaping up to be a very impressive team on paper.
More World XV players will be announced in due course.
Tickets
Tickets for the match – priced at R250 and R350 – are available from Postnet outlets nationwide, the Western Province ticket office and online from www.ticketpros.co.za.
SAinfo reporter
