Backs:

Bolla Conradie, Jean  de Villiers, Peter Grant, Butch James, Conrad Jantjes, Adrian Jacobs, Ricky Januarie, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn.

Forwards:

Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Bismarck du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, John Smit (c), Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson.

The surprises in the group are probably foremost BJ Botha who did not make it. JP Pietersen have been included, but have not played a test match since the World Cup. Tonderai Chavanga, Schalk Brits and Gcobani Bobo from the Western Province also did not make the group.

Pieter de Villiers will name his first training squad since taking over as Springbok coach on Saturday 17 May. There is lots of speculation of who will be in and who not, so SARB has decided to add their two cents worth by putting together a 45 player squad we think should be there.

Forwards: Props: Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Jannie du Plessis, BJ Botha, Brian Mujati(if qualifies), Beast Mtawarira(if qualifies). Hookers : John Smit(captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Schalk Brits. Locks : Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Andries Bekker, Johan Muller, Barend Pieterse, Adriaan Fondse. Loose Forwards: Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Ryan Kankowski, Pierre Spies, Wikus van Heerden, Duanne Vermeulen, Luke Watson, Joe van Niekerk.

Backs: Scrumhalves: Fourie du Preez, Ricky Januarie, Rory Kockett. Flyhalves: Butch James, Pieter Grant, Morne Steyn. Centres: Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Waylon Murray, Wynand Olivier, Brad Barrit. Wings: Bryan Habana, Tonderai Chavanga, Akona Ndugane, Odwa Ndugane, Jongi Nokwe. Fullbacks: Conrad Jantjes, Pery Montgomery, Zane Kirchner. Utility backs: Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn, Meyer Bosman.

This is just an opinion, more that likely our new coach will have a few surprises up his sleeve when he announces his squad, and we are all waiting with eager anticipation for Saturday. The announcement will be broadcast on Supersport after the Sharks game, so around 21h00.

A poor performance by the Springbok XV, and some fantastic defence by the Barbarians made sure that the Baabaas spoiled Jake White’s last game in charge of the World Champions. To be fair the Bok XV were missing crucial members of the RWC winning squad with the likes of Matfield, Smit, Montgomery and Du Randt not on the end of year tour. Bakkies Botha and Schalk Burger were both declared unfit to face the Baabaas in the buildup to the game, but that makes no differance.

The Barbarians played better rugby and looked more hungry for the victory that the Springbok XV. The Barbarian club has a proud tradition playing against national touring sides and even though the European clubs forbade their players from playing in this game the Baabaas fielded a strong side and they simply outplayed the Bok XV. With Australian playmaker Matt Giteau at the fore the Barbarians defended like Trojans and created better scoring opportunities than the Bokke. They ran in 3 tries to 1 and walked off the field convincing victors by 22-5. None of the Bok XV players can feel overly satisfied with their performance, but Ryan Kankowski looks like a bright prospect for the future.

SARB would like this opportunity to thank Jake White for what he has done for SA Rugby, winning the RWC 2007 was a fantastic conclusion to his career as the Springbok coach and we would like to wish him all the best for the future.

The Sprinbok squad suffered another setback. Victor Matfield, star line out jumper and man-of-the-match in the World Cup final, has withdrawn from the squad for personal reasons. Matfield wanted to stay in SA and reconsider his future and SA Rugby has agreed to give the superstar some time off. Matfield’s replacement in the squad is uncapped Free State lock, Barend Pieterse. Pieterse has been a fantastic player for the Cheetahs the last few seasons and many pundits considered him to be unlucky not to have been picked for the Springboks earlier in his career.

SA rugby also announced that John Smit will not captain the Springbok side that plays against the Barbarians due to his new club, Clermont Ferrand not releasing him for the game. Smit will be replaced in the squad to face the Baabaas by WP hooker, Tiaan Liebenberg. The game versus the Barbarians does not have test status so even if Liebenberg plays against the Baabaas he will not be capped as a Springbok.

A 26-man squad were announced for the end of year tour to Wales. Several or the RWC winning team were not considered for the tour because of injuries and club commitments. Os du Randt and Bob Skinstad have both retired, Percy Montgomery, BJ Botha, Jean de Villiers and Pierre Spies are all still on the injury list and Butch James, Gary Botha and Ashwin Willemse were not considered due to club commitments.

Two players have been drafted into the squad. Conrad Jantjies gets a recall after some impressive performances in the Currie Cup and Heinke van der Merwe gets his chance due to the retirement of Os du Randt.

The SA squad to play Wales and the Barbarians: Backs: Conrad Jantjies, JP Pietersen, Akona Ndungane, Bryan Habana, Frans Steyn, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier, Wayne Julies, Andre Pretorius, Fourie du Preez, Ricky Januarie and Ruan Pienaar. Forwards: Danie Rossouw, Wikus van Heerden, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Johann Muller, Albert van den Berg, CJ van der Linde, Jannie du Plessis, Heinke van der Merwe, Gurthro Steenkamp, Bismarck du Plessis and John Smit(captain)

Paul Treu, the Sprinbok sevens coach, named a squad of 20 players that will train in Stellenbosch as they prepare for the start of the IRB World Sevens Series. The IRB Series starts on the 30th of November in Dubai and then moves to George on the 7th of December. The 20-man squad will be reduced to 12 just before the team leaves for Dubai on the 21st of November.

Bok sevens squad: Danwell Demas, Trompie Nontshinga, Neil Powell, Renfred Dazel, Frankie Horn, Andries van Schalkwyk, Baldwin McBean, Norman Nelson, Mzwandile Stick, Fabian Juries, Jonathan Mokuena, Giscard Pieters, Tobela Mdaka, MJ Mentz, Terry Jacobs, Mpho Mbiyozo, Joe Pietersen, Mpho Matsaung, Schalk van der Merwe, Vuyo Zangqa

Jake White picked his strongest available squad to face Scotland in a World Cup warm up match on Saturday.

SA fans will be happy to see Bryan Habana return to the starting XV, but there are still injury concerns for White. John Smit, Jean de Villiers and Wynand Olivier are all still struggling with injuries. Victor Matfield will again captain the Bokke in Smit’s absence and Francois Steyn will start at inside centre. A solid performance by the younster could see him start at number 12 in the World Cup whilst de Villiers and Olivier are injured.

SA squad to face Scotland: 15. Percy Montgomery, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Francois Steyn, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Butch James, 9. Fourie du Preez, 8. Danie Rossouw, 7. Juan Smith, 6. Schalk Burger, 5. Victor Matfield(captain), 4. Bakkies Botha, 3. CJ van der Linde, 2. Gary Botha, 1. Os du Randt

Reserves: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. BJ Botha, 18. Albert van den Berg, 19. Wikus van Heerden, 20. Ruan Pienaar, 21. Andre Pretorius, 22. Ashwin Willemse.

Jake White will hope that this squad can get things back on track after the poor performance in Galway on Tuesday.