Former champion South Africa is going to start their Rugby World Cup 2007 campaign on 9 September though the match against Samoa. South Africa has recently unveiled their final squad ahead of the world cup. Rugby World Cup 2007 will start from 7 September in France. Jake White selected a number of young players along with some experienced veterans. Thus, South African squad looks balanced and strong.
South Africa won their first and only Rugby world cup title in 1995 at home soil. Os du Randt was one of the members of that champion South African team. Os du Randt is now going to play his third Rugby world cup tournament. He missed the 2003 world cup and came back to team after five year’s absence in 2004. This veteran has already played 72 tests for South Africa. Bob Skinstad and fullback Percy Montgomery also came back to the squad after about eight years of absence in the national team. White included seven players who played in the last world cup in 2003.
Francois Steyn is thought to be the future star of South African rugby as he has already proven his skill in international rugby though he is just 20 at this moment. However, ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2007 campaign, there is a bad news for South Africa. Back row Pierre Spies has been out of the tournament as he has fall in an injury. Hooker Bismarck du Plessis has been called to fill the gap of Pierre Spies.
The names of the South African squad are given below from the official website of Rugby world cup:
Forwards (16): Bakkies Botha, BJ Botha, Gary Botha, Schalk Burger, Os du Randt, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, Danie Rossouw, Bob Skinstad, John Smit (Captain), Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Gurthro Steenkamp, Albert Van Den Berg, Wikus Van Heerden, CJ Van Der Linde.
Backs (14): Jean de Villiers, Fourie Du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Percy Montgomery, Akona Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Andre Pretorius, Francois Steyn, Ashwin Willemse.
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