Springbok squad named for The Castle Lager Rugby Championship

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The Springbok selectors have opted for continuity when they named a 30-man squad for the opening two rounds of The Castle Lager Rugby Championship later this month against Argentina.

Only three players who were not part of the Springbok squad which won the Castle Lager Incoming Series in June have been added to the squad.

They are experienced scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, who has been selected for the Springboks for the first time since the Rugby World Cup in 2011, Gurthrö Steenkamp (prop) and Duane Vermeulen (No 8), who last played for the Springboks in November 2012.

Du Preez’s club in Japan, Suntory Sungoliath, released him for international duty for parts of The Castle Rugby Championship. He is available for the three Tests in South Africa and has been included in the squad. When Du Preez can’t travel with the Springboks, his place in the squad will be taken by Piet van Zyl.

The Springbok squad for The Castle Lager Rugby Championship 2013:

Name  Position  Test Caps  Test points  Age

Willem Alberts Loose forward 21 25 28
Bjorn Basson Wing 9 10 26
Marcell Coetzee Loose forward 13 5 22
Juan de Jongh Centre 14 25 15
Jean de Villiers (captain) Centre 87 105 32
Bismarck du Plessis Hooker 48 30 29
Jannie du Plessis Prop 45 5 30
Fourie du Preez Scrumhalf 62 65 31
JJ Engelbrecht Centre / Wing 4 15 24
Eben Etzebeth Lock 14 0 21
Bryan Habana Wing 86 250 30
Zane Kirchner Fullback 24 15 29
Siya Kolisi Loose forward 2 0 22
Juandré Kruger Lock 11 0 27
Pat Lambie Flyhalf / Fullback 23 50 22
Willie le Roux Fullback / Wing 3 0 23
Francois Louw Loose forward 19 25 28
Tendai Mtawarira Prop 44 10 28
Trevor Nyakane Prop 3 5 24
Coenie Oosthuizen Prop 5 0 24
Ruan Pienaar Scrumhalf 66 130 29
Chiliboy Ralepelle Hooker 22 5 26
Jan Serfontein Centre 3 5 20
Gurthrö Steenkamp Prop 40 30 32
Morné Steyn Flyhalf 45 530 29
Adriaan Strauss Hooker 24 15 27
Flip van der Merwe Lock 26 5 28
Franco van der Merwe Lock 0 0 30
Jano Vermaak Scrumhalf 1 0 28
Duane Vermeulen No 8 7 0 27