Ever heard of Boela Abrahams? Us neither. But he is in Stellenbosch this week as part of the eight extra players invited to the Springboks’ pre EOYT to UK training camp.
The Springbok selectors have invited Lwazi Mvovo, Cobus Reinach, Lourens Adriaanse, Handré Pollard, Rudy Paige, Marcel van der Merwe, Bongi Mbonambi and the Griffon’s Boela Abrahams to join 20 nationally contracted players and four others as the team start their preparations for their EOYT.
The 32 players at the training camp will want to use this opportunity to show the Springbok selectors what they can do before the squad of 36 for the tour is finalised.
Players from the two teams contesting the Currie Cup Final this weekend, Western Province and the Lions, who do not have national contracts, were not considered for the camp.
“We’re still contemplating certain positions and this is an ideal opportunity to see what these guys can do,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
“Our situation at scrumhalf is not ideal – Fourie du Preez is out for the season and we’re awaiting more information on Ruan Pienaar’s injury, while Cobus Reinach missed the Currie Cup semi-final because of injury.
“We’ve decided to cast the net wide and invite Rudy and Boela, also to introduce them to the Springbok culture and ethos as two promising youngsters.
“Most of the players have been part of our set-up before, but for others this will be their first involvement with the Springboks. While I’m sure they will want to use this opportunity to impress, we’d also like to get to know them better and see what they are capable of before finalising the squad.”
The final squad for the EOYT will be announced on Monday, 27 October before the players gather for a pre-departure camp in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 29 October.
Players invited to Stellenbosch training camp:
Boela Abrahams (scrumhalf), Lourens Adriaanse (prop), Willem Alberts (loose forward), Marcell Coetzee (loose forward), Damian de Allende (centre/wing), Lood de Jager (lock), Jean de Villiers (centre), Bismarck du Plessis (hooker), Jannie du Plessis (prop), JJ Engelbrecht (centre/wing), Eben Etzebeth (lock), Lizo Gqoboka (prop), Cornal Hendricks (wing), Francois Hougaard (scrumhalf), Siya Kolisi (loose forward), Patrick Lambie (flyhalf/fullback), Willie le Roux (fullback/wing), Victor Matfield (lock), Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje (loose forward), Tendai Mtawarira (prop), Lwazi Mvovo (wing), Trevor Nyakane (prop), Coenie Oosthuizen (prop), Rudy Paige (scrumhalf), Handré Pollard (flyhalf), Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf), Jan Serfontein (centre), Adriaan Strauss (hooker), Flip van der Merwe (lock), Marcel van der Merwe (prop) and Duane Vermeulen (No 8).
It’s not surprising that Boela was invited to the Boks training camp. The speed at the breakdown in the First Division final was phenomenal. Granted the griffons “loosies” played a significant role but the Griffons were seldom found wanting at the breakdown with the ball coming out so quickly and putting his back line on the front foot.