Boks call up Sharks duo
Cell C Sharks scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and wing Sbu Nkosi have been drafted into the Springbok squad for the remaining two matches of the Rugby Championships.
Both Nkosi and Schreuder are yet to be capped at Test level, although Schreuder has been involved in Springboks camps four years ago.
Ironically, the nuggetty scrumhalf was laughing off talk of his time with the Springboks in an interview a couple of weeks ago at Kings Park. As fate would have it, the 27-year-old has been brought in for Francois Hougaard.
It presents a timely opportunity for Schreuder to make his Springbok debut. On form alone, he was a standout in Super Rugby for the Kings, arguably only outplayed by Springbok incumbent Ross Cronje. A move to the Sharks at the start of the Currie Cup has been fortuitous and Springbok coach Allister Coetzee would do well to blood another experienced scrumhalf at Test level.
Perhaps even more deserving of a call-up is Schreuder's Sharks teammate Nkosi. The 21-year-old wing has been in blockbusting form in the Currie Cup. A player in the mold of Lwazi Mvovo, Nkosi has shown exceptional speed outwide but his physicality with ball in hand has been particularly useful for the Sharks.
Not only has he scored tries, but he has drawn in defenders and made a number of final passes to setup tries for his Durban team mates.
Sadly, Raymond Rhule has not made an impression at Test level and he was a revolving door on defence in the Springboks' 57-0 hammering by the All Blacks. One can only hope that the Springbok coaching staff throw caution to the wind and give one of the top wings in the country a well deserved chance in the next two weeks.
Coetzee has also reached out to Springbok veteran Francois Louw - who rejoins the team for the first time this year. He is just the replacement the Springboks need after Jaco Kriel was ruled out for the rest of the year following surgery on his shoulder.
Louw will bring a wealth of experience and stability to a team that is licking it's wounds following their biggest ever margin of defeat at the hand of the World Champions. The presence of a world-renowned fetcher will also help the Springboks contain both Australia and New Zealand in the final two Tests.
Coetzee says the two debutantes are being rewarded for their fine form this season.
“Louis and S’bu have both performed well this season, and their inclusion gives us an opportunity to work closely with them,” said Coetzee.
“They are both in-form players and are making good decisions on the field in their respective positions. Their inclusion and exposure to this level will continue our process of building depth in certain positions.
“Louis has been there before, but we’re excited to expose S’bu to the Springbok environment – he is in excellent form and we are excited to work with him.”
The Springbok squad for the Tests in Bloemfontein and Cape Town:
Forwards (17 players):
Uzair Cassiem (flank), Toyota Cheetahs – 5 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Lood de Jager (lock), Vodacom Bulls – 31 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Ruan Dreyer (prop), Emirates Lions – 2 caps, 0 points
Dan du Preez (No 8), Cell C Sharks - 0 caps, 0 points
Jean-Luc du Preez (loose forward), Cell C Sharks – 8 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (lock), DHL Stormers – 27 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Eben Etzebeth (lock, captain), DHL Stormers – 61 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Steven Kitshoff (prop), DHL Stormers – 17 caps, 0 points
Siya Kolisi (flank), DHL Stormers – 23 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Francois Louw (flank), Bath, England – 52 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
Wilco Louw (prop) DHL Stormers – 0 caps, 0 points
Malcolm Marx (hooker), Emirates Lions – 9 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), DHL Stormers – 11 caps; 0 points
Franco Mostert (lock), Emirates Lions/Ricoh Black Rams (Jap) – 13 caps, 0 points
Tendai Mtawarira (prop), Cell C Sharks – 94 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Trevor Nyakane (prop), Vodacom Bulls – 32 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker), Cell C Sharks – 22 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Backs (13 players):
Andries Coetzee (fullback), Emirates Lions – 7 caps, 0 points
Ross Cronje (scrumhalf) Emirates Lions – 4 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Damian de Allende (centre), DHL Stormers – 25 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Elton Jantjies (flyhalf), Emirates Lions/NTT Shining Arcs (Japan) – 18 caps, 179 points (2 tries, 32 conversions, 35 penalties)
Jesse Kriel (centre), Vodacom Bulls – 23 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
Dillyn Leyds (wing) DHL Stormers – 3 caps, 0 points
Rudy Paige (scrumhalf), Vodacom Bulls – 10 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Handré Pollard (flyhalf) Vodacom Bulls – 21 caps, 188 points (2 tries, 29 conversions, 37 penalties, 3 drop goals)
Raymond Rhule (wing), Toyota Cheetahs – 7 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Louis Schreuder (scrumhalf) Cell C Sharks – uncapped
Jan Serfontein (centre), Vodacom Bulls – 33 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Courtnall Skosan (wing), Emirates Lions – 7 caps, 5 points (1 try)
S’busiso Nkosi (wing), Cell C Sharks – uncapped