South Africa RWC training squad named

Forwards: Willem Alberts, Schalk Brits, Schalk Burger, Marcell Coetzee, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Victor Matfield, Heinke van der Merwe, Marcel van der Merwe, Teboho 'Oupa' Mohoje, Francois Mostert, Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira, Scarra Ntubeni, Trevor Nyakane, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Warren Whiteley

Backs: Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana, Cornal Hendricks, Elton Jantjies, Zane Kirchner, Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel, Lwazi Mvovo, Rudy Paige, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux, Morne Steyn

Conditioning squad (injured players)

Heinrich Brussow, Jaque Fourie, Lood de Jager, Patrick Lambie, Lionel Mapoe, Coenie Oosthuizen, Fourie du Preez, Cobus Reinach, Jan Serfontein, Francois Steyn, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Jean de Villiers

Looking very strong..... I have a feeling that the provinces poor form in super rugby may benefit the boks who seem to be masters at peaking in RWCs...a lot of experience in there, as well as guys who have played/play in the NH.

Couple of key players need to get fit, also there are a few players named who I think are, well not passengers, thats not the right word, but not going to make an ipact if they needed to be rellied upon.

Good squad overall, they should make the semi's, but I think they'll need to do something extremely special over the next few months to win it.

I think i'd put NZ as favourites, and SA and England in a bracket below them, followed by Ireland, Aus, France and Wales.

Quite a few players who are some way past their best, and the effect of positive discrimination weakens the squad.

I can't quite believe Matfield is still seen as good enough given the traditional Bokke strength at lock

What's the average age of that squad….shedloads of experience but run i expect that conditioning squad to just keep getting bigger

For SA's sake I hope they drop Kirchner, utter sh1te for Leinster all season

brennomac wrote:For SA's sake I hope they drop Kirchner, utter sh1te for Leinster all season

Poopie is harsh, he hasn't been great though has he, he's no Isa Nacewa!