Louw in from the Bath …

And there you have it … The Bok 2011 RWC squad …

And it’s a bloody strong one. With only three changes to the one I suggested picking yesterday, I have no complaints. I had a 17/13 split with Jean Deysel in for Odwa Ndungane, and I would still argue that would have been the better choice given the potential attrition amongst the heavies. I also had Gerhard Mostert in for Johann Muller based on his Tri-Nations performances, but Muller was initially the first choice and I have no particular beef with that selection.

Given that the Boks have gone with a 16/14 split, I probably would have gone with Lwazi Mvovo ahead of Ndungane, but this Bok RWC campaign is not based on flair, and De Villier’s reasoning that Ndungane is the better defender is difficult to fault. It’s a moot discussion in any case, because all a 4th wing will be doing on tour is carrying bags and water bottles …

The selection of Francois Louw is inspired, no doubt be based on the success of Heinrich Brussow. As I said yesterday, if Brussow were to get injured, or if De Villiers wanted to give him a rest, you would want to play a similar gameplan, and Louw is best suited to being that backup player. The key question is “Why only now?” … It’s great that the selectors have admitted they made a mistake in not having Louw more involved in the Bok side earlier, but it’s still a pretty big error.

Can this Bok side win the World Cup? Without doubt

Will this Bok side win the World Cup? I have my doubts

Springbok RWC squad:

Forwards (16): Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira (Sharks), Gurthro Steenkamp (Bulls), John Smit (Sharks, capt), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), CJ van der Linde (Lions), Bakkies Botha (Bulls), Victor Matfield (Bulls, vice-capt), Johann Muller (Ulster/NIR), Danie Rossouw (Bulls), Willem Alberts (Sharks), Schalk Burger (Province), Heinrich Brüssow (Free State Cheetahs), Francois Louw (Bath/ENG), Pierre Spies (Bulls)

Backs (14): Francois Steyn (Racing Metro/FRA), Patrick Lambie (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Gio Aplon (Western Province), Jaque Fourie (Province), Jean de Villiers (Province), Juan de Jongh (Province), Bryan Habana (Province), Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), Morne Steyn (Blue Bulls), Butch James (Golden Lions), Fourie du Preez (Bulls), Francois Hougaard (Bulls), Ruan Pienaar (Ulster/NIR)

Springbok management:

Peter de Villiers (head coach), Gary Gold (assistant coach), Dick Muir (assistant coach), Percy Montgomery (kicking coach), Jacques Nienaber (defence coach/physiotherapist), Malome Maimane (technical analyst), Rassie Erasmus (technical specialist), Neels Liebel (conditioning coach), Dr Derik Coetzee (conditioning coach), Dr Craig Roberts (team doctor), Rene Naylor (physiotherapist), Vivian Verwant (physiotherapist), Daliah Hurwitz (massage therapist), Charles Wessels (logistics manager), Mkiti Malakoane (baggage master), Annelee Murray (PR Manager), Andy Colquhoun (media manager).

The players that have been put on standby:

Zane Kirchner, Lwazi Mvovo, Wynand Olivier, Elton Jantjies, Charl McLeod, Ashley Johnson, Jean Deysel, Gerhard Mostert, Alistair Hargreaves, Dean Greyling, Werner Kruger, Adriaan Strauss

Cheers
Tank