SA Super-12 squads named
F.F. Jacot Guillarmod
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Subject: [rug-sto] few surprises as sa s12 squads unveiled
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 1998 04:19:12 +0200
RUGBY-SUPER-SQUADS By Niall Aitcheson
JOHANNESBURG Feb 3 Sapa
FEW SURPRISES AS SA S12 SQUADS UNVEILED
There were few surprises when the four regional squads to
represent South Africa in this year's Super 12 series were unveiled
at a function in Sandton on Tuesday.
The biggest name to miss out on selection for the southern
hemisphere provincial showpiece is veteran Free State captain and
ex-Springbok centre Helgard Muller, who has been omitted from the
Golden Cats -- a combination of Free State, the Gauteng Lions and
Griquas.
With the return from injury of Japie Mulder and the
availability of such stars as Brendan Venter, Hennie le Roux and
Christiaan Scholtz, Muller would have struggled to find a place in
the starting line-up.
With Free Staters dominating the strongest of the 30-man South
African squads, Bok flanker Rassie Erasmus is favourite to be named
captain before the start of the three-month extravaganza on
February 27.
Western Stormers coach Harry Viljoen has raised a few eyebrows
by excluding Bok scrumhalf Joggie Viljoen and Western Province
flanker Piet Arnold, along with South Western Districts' powerful
tighthead prop Jaco Espag.
The side will be led by the experienced Dick Muir, with a
notable inclusion being World Cup-winning left winger Chester
Williams, back from a spell of club rugby in Italy following a
lengthy injury layoff.
Springbok coach Nick Mallett's hand appears to be in evidence
concerning the Northern Bulls selection (Blue Bulls/Gauteng
Falcons/Mpumalanga Pumas), which includes four players drafted from
other regions.
Mallett met the four Super 12 management teams last month to
finalise the list of the 120 players he wants exposed in the
competition, and three players from his former Boland province --
Marius Goosen, McNeil Hendricks and Jan Ackerman -- are currently
training with the Pretoria-based outfit.
In addition, Griquas' versatile midfield back Franco Smith, who
made his Springbok debut as a first half replacement for Jannie de
Beer in December's 68-10 thrashing of Scotland at Murrayfield, has
been secured on loan and will almost certainly fill the key flyhalf
jersey.
Bok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen, who is recovering from
groin surgery, has been listed despite being unlikely to see any
action until April. Eighthman Adriaan Richter is expected to get
the captaincy.
An interesting inclusion among the forwards is that of Gauteng
Falcons and former Bok strongman Johan le Roux, now 36, who will be
making his first trip to New Zealand since the infamous ear-biting
incident involving All Black skipper Sean Fitzpatrick four years
ago.
Another man with a chequered history, Mpumalanga Pumas' lock
Elandre van der Bergh, gets a further chance to restore his
tarnished reputation before a global television audience.
Coastal Sharks mentor Ian McIntosh has taken advantage of the
drafting arrangements to sign World Cup Final hooker Chris Rossouw
from Gauteng along with Griquas flyhalf Boeta Wessels and Boland
winger Stefan Terblanche.
Not considered due to injury were Bok flanker Wayne Fyvie and
centre Joos Joubert, both from Natal, as well as Border fullback
Russell Bennett.
Bennett, capped five times for South Africa last year under
former national coach Carel du Plessis, will miss the start of the
Super 12 due to injury. He may be brought into the picture as the
tournament, known for its high attrition rate, progresses.
Bok captain Gary Teichmann will lead the Durban-based outfit.
South African Super 12 Squads (* denotes players on loan from
other regions):
COASTAL SHARKS (all Natal unless stated):
Backs -- Andre Joubert, Gavin Lawless, Shaun Payne, * Stefan
Terblanche (Boland), Stefan Brink, Pieter Muller, Joe Gillingham,
Jeremy Thomson, JP van der Mescht, Henry Honiball, * Boeta Wessels
(Griqualand West), Kevin Putt, Chad Alcock (Eastern Province),
Hentie Martens, Cabous van der Westhuizen.
Forwards -- Ollie le Roux, Rob Kempson, Adrian Garvey, John
Smit, * Chris Rossouw (Gauteng Lions), Mornay Visser, Mark Andrews,
Steve Atherton, John Slade, Nico Wegner, Warren Brosnihan, Dieter
Kriese, Walter Minnaar, Gary Teichman (capt), Wickus van Heerden.
Coach: Ian McIntosh (Natal).
Assistant Coach: Hugh Reece-Edwards (Natal).
Manager: Craig Jamieson (Natal).
Colours: black jersey with red, white and green stripes; black
shorts and socks.
WESTERN STORMERS (all Western Province unless stated):
Backs -- Percy Montgomery, Justin Swart, James Small, Chester
Williams, Breyton Paulse, Pieter Rossouw, Dick Muir (capt),
Christian Stewart, Robbie Fleck, Rickus Lubbe (Boland), Louis Koen,
Pieter O'Neill (Boland), Jopie Adlam, Freddie Roberts (Boland).
Forwards -- Toks van der Linde, Pierre Marais, Marius Hurter,
Kobus Visagie, Johan van Wyk, Charl Marais (Boland), Selbourne
Boome, Hottie Louw, Julian Barnard (Boland), Johnny Trytsman,
Robbie Brink, Bobby Skinstad, Harold Karele, Jannie Coetzee
(Boland), Andrew Aitken, Russell Nelson (Boland).
Coach: Harry Viljoen (WP).
Assistant Coach: Alan Solomons (WP).
Manager: Hennie Bekker (WP).
Colours: white jersey with mustard/blue shoulders and green,
red and blue stripes; blue shorts and socks.
GOLDEN CATS:
Backs -- Chris Badenhorst, Jannie de Beer (both Free State),
Tobie de Jager (Griqualand West), Thinus Delport, JP du Plooy (both
Gauteng Lions), Jorrie Kruger (FS), Hennie le Roux, Japie Mulder
(both G Lions), Kat Myburgh (FS), Johan Roux, Christiaan Scholtz
(both G Lions), MJ Smith, Werner Swanepoel (both FS), Jannie van
der Walt (G Lions), Jan-Harm van Wyk, Brendan Venter (both FS).
Forwards -- James Dalton (G Lions), Naka Drotske, Os du Randt,
Braam Els, Rassie Erasmus, Willie Meyer, Ryno Opperman (all FS),
Phillip Smit (Griquas), Hannes Strydom, Balie Swart (both G Lions),
Dawie Theron (Griquas), Charl van Rensburg, Andre Venter, AJ Venter
(both FS), Gideon Watts (Griquas), Kobus Wiese (G Lions).
NB: Squad to be trimmed by two and captain to be named before
start of tournament.
Coach: Peet Kleynhans (FS).
Assistant Coach: Gysie Pienaar (FS).
Manager: Willem Roos (G Lions).
Colours: white jersey with blue/gold shoulders; blue shorts and
socks.
NORTHERN BULLS:
Backs -- Casper Steyn (Blue Bulls), * Marius Goosen (Boland),
Jacques Olivier (Blue Bulls), * McNeil Hendricks (Boland), Andre
Snyman (Blue Bulls), Eugene Meyer (Gauteng Falcons), Danie van
Schalkwyk, Grant Esterhuizen, Hannes Venter (all Blue Bulls), * Jan
Ackerman (Boland), * Franco Smith (Griqualand West), Braam van
Straaten (G Falcons), Conrad Breytenback, Joost van der Westhuizen
(both Blue Bulls), Dan van Zyl (Mpumalanga Pumas).
Forwards -- Lourens Campher, Pierre Ribbens, Jannie Brooks (all
Blue Bulls), Henry Kemp (M Pumas), Piet Boer (Blue Bulls), Johan le
Roux (G Falcons), Wium Basson, Derick Grobbelaar (both Blue Bulls),
Elandre van der Bergh (M Pumas), Krynauw Otto, Ruben Kruger, Nicky
van der Walt, Frans Allers, Schutte Bekker, Adriaan Richter (all
Blue Bulls), Johan Otto (M Pumas).
NB: Squad to be trimmed by one and captain to be named before
start of tournament.
Coach: Eugene van Wyk (Blue Bulls).
Assistant Coach: James Stoffberg (M Pumas).
Manager: To be confirmed.
Colours: red jersey with blue sleeve stripes and blue waist
band, red shorts and socks.
Sapa
/na/di
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F.F. Jacot Guillarmod
>========================================================================
>Subject: [rug-sto] few surprises as sa s12 squads unveiled
>Date: Tue, 3 Feb 1998 04:19:12 +0200
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Date: Tue, 03 Feb 1998 20:29:26 GMT+0200
Subject: super 12 a blueprint for bok success - mallett
RUGBY-SUPER-NICK By Niall Aitcheson
JOHANNESBURG Feb 3 Sapa
SUPER 12 A BLUEPRINT FOR BOK SUCCESS - MALLETT
Springbok coach Nick Mallett's influence will loom large over
the four competing South African Super 12 regional teams this year,
as he seeks to establish a blueprint to restore the national side
to the top of the world rankings.
Mallett, who had a say in the final selection of the 30-man
squads, will meet regularly with the regional coaches during the
three-month-long tournament to develop a uniform pattern of play.
This, he believes, will make it easier for players to make the
step up from provincial to Test level.
"We have to create a style of play which is unique to South
Africa...this is the way to go if we're to be successful in the
modern era," he said at Tuesday's Super 12 launch in Sandton.
"The players I wish to see will all be involved in the
competition, which gives myself and the Bok selectors the
opportunity to monitor the form of current and potential national
squad members.
"The planning sessions with the Super 12 coaches have gone very
well and we have four squads of almost equal strength...there is no
way we could sustain a challenge using provincial sides."
Mallett has brought a fresh and dynamic approach to South
African rugby which resulted in the amazing turnaround of the Boks
during their recent European tour.
Like All Black counterpart John Hart, he will be taking in as
much Super 12 action as he can when the tournament kicks off on
February 27.
By comparison, his precedessor in the Bok hot seat, Carel du
Plessis, chose to take a family holiday in Mauritius while last
year's Super 12 was in full swing.
Mallett has endorsed the creation of a feeder scheme whereby
the regions -- Coastal Sharks, Western Stormers, Golden Cats and
Northern Bulls -- will be able to replace players, due to loss of
form or injury, during the tournament.
"I am satisfied that we've put together four well-balanced
squads," he said. "There is a good spread of experience, an
abundance of talent and a plethora of youth in each combination."
Coastal Sharks coach Ian McIntosh said the regional system
offered many exciting possibilities. "It enables you to rest key
players for bigger games, lowers risks related to player fatigue
and injury and creates opportunities for tactical substitutions."
Western Stormers' Harry Viljoen supported McIntosh's view,
saying the new system would simplify team planning for the
competition.
"Previously, provinces would rely on a core of players to see
them through the Super 12 campaign. Now we have a well-balanced
squad, where changes in key positions can be made with minimal
disruption to the team's overall preparations or performance," he
said.
The feeder system was lauded by Golden Cats mentor Peet
Kleynhans, the man charged with guiding arguably the strongest of
the South African sides.
"There are bound to be players outside of the 120 selected for
Super 12 duty who will emerge during the course of the competition.
If we can draw these players in, we can improve our depth even
further."
Northern Bulls supremo Eugene van Wyk is confident that South
Africa can make its mark in the Super 12 this year.
"The new system not only benefits this country's Super 12
ambitions, but also caters for the needs of the Springbok team.
Ultimately, it will make Nick Mallett's job easier and ensure that
the Boks remain consistently strong."
Sapa
/na/di
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