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.

Sat 07 Jun 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
15:00 South Africa Wales Bloemfontein, South Africa –
Sat 14 Jun 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
15:00 South Africa Wales Pretoria, South Africa –
Sat 21 Jun 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
15:00 South Africa Italy Kimberley, South Africa –
Sat 05 Jul 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
09:35 New Zealand South Africa Wellington, New Zealand –
Sat 12 Jul 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
09:35 New Zealand South Africa Dunedin, New Zealand –
Sat 19 Jul 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
11:00 Australia South Africa Perth, Australia –
Sat 16 Aug 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
15:00 South Africa New Zealand Cape Town, South Africa –
Sat 23 Aug 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
15:00 South Africa Australia Durban, South Africa –
Sat 30 Aug 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
15:00 South Africa Australia Johannesburg, South Africa –

The All Blacks are overwhelming favourites to beat Australia in their Tri-Nations encounter this weekend and thus retain the Bledisloe Cup.

Graham Henry has made four changes to the All Black side that beat the Springboks last weekend and John Connolly has made only one change to the Wallaby team that lost to SA.

All Black team: 15. Leon MacDonald, 14. Rico Gear, 13.Mils Muliaina, 12. Luke McAllister, 11. Joe Rokocoku, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Byron Kelleher, 8. Rodney So’oialo, 7. Richie McCaw(captain), 6. Jerry Collins, 5. Troy Flavell, 4. Chris Jack, 3. Carl Hayman, 2. Anton Oliver, 1. Tony Woodcock

Reserves: Kevin Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Ross Filipo, Chris Masoe, Piri Weepu, Aaron Mauger and Nick Evans

Australian team: 15. Julian Huxley, 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13. Stirling Mortlock(captain), 12. Matt Giteau, 11. Lote Tuqiri, 10. Stephan Larkham, 9. George Gregan, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. George Smith, 6. Rocky Elsom, 5. Dan Vickerman, 4. Nathan Sharpe, 3. Guy Shepherdson, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Matt Dunning

Reserves: Adam Freier, Al Baxter, Mark Chisholm, Stephen Hoiles, Phil Waugh, Scott Staniforth and Mark Gerrard

The game takes place at the MCG in Melbourne on Saturday and the All Blacks should win this one with ease but Bledisloe Cup encounters between these two sides are always tough and maybe the Wallabies can cause a bit of an upset.