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 05 July 2008 14:11 BST

South Africa look to build on World Cup triumph

Sunday, 18 May 2008 12:00
Smit will continue to captain the side
South Africa have named a 42-man training squad ahead of their summer Test series against Wales.

Springboks coach Peter De Villiers has largely stuck with the players who won the World Cup in France last year.

However, there is the opportunity for some younger players to impress following the retirement from international rugby of players such as Os du Randt.

Although many of the Springboks players left South African shores after the World Cup, to capitalise on the wages paid by northern hemisphere club sides, De Villiers has not omitted them from the squad.

Hooker John Smit will continue his captaincy of the side despite currently playing for Clermont Auvergne in France, while there are also places in the side for veteran Percy Montgomery and Bath fly-half Butch James.

Back-row forward Joe van Niekerk returns to the fold following a few years out of the international set-up.

He could replace star flanker Schalk Burger in the Test line up. The Stormers player is currently injured but hopes to prove his fitness before the first Test on June 7th.

"I want to emphasise that this is a training squad, not a Test squad," said De Villiers.

"I have selected certain players to work with them in a squad environment alongside the country's finest players, and others because I felt I had not seen enough of them during the Vodacom Super 14.

"I want to build on what we've achieved over the last four years up to the World Cup, I think it's a nice blend of youth and experience."

The first Test will be in Bloemfontein while the second Test is on June 14th in Pretoria.End of story


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