The Springbok squad that will be travelling to Argentina was named in Cape Town on Saturday evening.
The 26-man Springbok squad to Argentina:
- Forwards (15): Willem Alberts, Andries Bekker, Craig Burden, Pat Cilliers, Marcell Coetzee, Keegan Daniel, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Dean Greyling, Juandré Kruger, Tiaan Liebenberg, Tendai Mtawarira, Jacques Potgieter, Adriaan Strauss, Flip van der Merwe.
- Backs (11): Jean de Villiers (captain), JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Zane Kirchner, Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn, Morné Steyn, Jano Vermaak.
With the recent ‘throw a dog a bone’ decision by SARU to ‘graciously grant’ the Southern Kings 365.25 days of Super Rugby combined with local rugby administrators tossing around figures saying that over 40% of Super Rugby players are from within the Southern Kings geographical region of South Western Districts, Eastern Province and Border I embarked on a search of all 26 Springbok Team Player Profiles, looking for ties to each of the three regions the Southern Kings will draw players from.
Shall we get one thing straight from the get go?
Those guys and gals who say that the Southern Kings do not deserve a place in Super Rugby because the EP Kings cannot win a Currie Cup need to be beaten severely on the bum and sent to bed with no supper. The EP Kings form a small part of the Southern Kings and to make a comparison like that is just plain dumb. It is like predicting the Springboks performance based on the Lions track record!
Browsing the Springbok Player Profiles I found seven potential homeboy Southern Kings from the Springbok Team above:
- Keegan Daniel – Born in Humansdorp, schooled at Gonubie Primary and Dale College
- Jacques Potgieter – Born in Port Elizabeth, schooled at Verkenner Primary and Daniel Pienaar HTS, Uitenhage
- JJ Engelbrecht – Born in Port Elizabeth, schooled at Kirkwood Primary and Grey High School
- Zane Kirchner – Born in George, schooled at Kretzenshoop Primary and PW Botha College
- Lwazi Ncedo Mvovo – Born in Mthatha, schooled at Gledys King Primary and Maria Louw High
- Frans Steyn – Born in Aliwal North, schooled at Truida Kestell, Bethlehem and Grey College, Bloemfontein
- Jano Vermaak – Born in Graaff-Reinet, schooled at Risiville, Hangklip Primary and HTS Vereeniging
Add a couple of explosive homeboys in Siya Kolisi and Sergeal Petersen (both products of Grey High School, Port Elizabeth) to the mix above and we are starting to see a very strong team forming in the home of rugby.
The transference game from the other provinces has been going on for far too long now – the Southern Kings will rise and whip your sorry little bums raw.
Keegan Daniel – A potential Southern Kings Player?
Keegan Rhys Daniel:
Position: Flank
Province: Kwazulu Natal
Springbok number: 823
Squad List:
South Africa: The Castle Rugby Championship – 2012
South Africa: Castle Incoming Tours – 2012
Sharks: Vodacom Super Rugby – 2012
The Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2011
Sharks: Vodacom Super Rugby – 2011
South Africa: Outgoing Tours – 2010
Springboks: Outgoing Tours – 2010
Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2010
Sharks Invitational XV: Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – 2010
The Sharks: Vodacom Super 14 – 2010
Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2009
Sharks Invitational XV: Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – 2009
Sharks: British Irish Lions Tour – 2009
The Sharks: Vodacom Super 14 – 2009
Sharks: MTN test – 2009
The Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – 2008
The Sharks: Vodacom Super 14 – 2008
The Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – 2007
Wildebeest: Vodacom Cup – 2007
The Sharks: Vodacom Super 14 – 2007
The Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2006
South Africa: IRB Under 21 World Championship – 2006
Wildebeest: Vodacom Cup – 2006
The Sharks: Vodacom Super 14 – 2006
KZN U21: ABSA Under 21 Competition – 2006
Natal: ABSA Under 21 Competition – 2005
Ulrich Jacques Potgieter – A potential Southern Kings Player?
Jaques Potgieter:
Position: Flank
Province: Blue Bulls
Springbok number: 834
Squad List:
South Africa: The Castle Rugby Championship – 2012
South Africa: Castle Incoming Tours – 2012
Vodacom Bulls: Vodacom Super Rugby – 2012
Eastern Province Kings: ABSA Currie Cup First Div – 2011
Vodacom Blue Bulls: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2011
Eastern Province Kings: Absa Currie Cup Compulsory friendlies – 2011
South African Kings: IRB Nations Cup – 2011
Eastern Province Kings: Vodacom Cup – 2011
Eastern Province Kings: Absa Currie Cup Promotion/Relegation – 2010
Eastern Province Kings: ABSA Currie Cup First Div – 2010
Mighty Elephants: Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – 2010
Eastern Province: Vodacom Cup – 2010
Mighty Elephants: ABSA Currie Cup First Div – 2009
Sharks XV: Vodacom Cup – 2009
Wildebeest: Vodacom Cup – 2008
Sharks U/21: ABSA Under 21 Competition – 2007
Natal: SA Under 19 – 2005
Eastern Province: U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week – 2004
JJ Engelbrecht – A potential Southern Kings Player?
Johannes Jacobus (JJ) Engelbrecht:
Position: Outside Back
Province: Blue Bulls
Squad List:
South Africa: The Castle Rugby Championship – 2012
South Africa: Castle Incoming Tours – 2012
Vodacom Bulls: Vodacom Super Rugby – 2012
DHL Western Province: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2011
DHL Western Province: Absa Currie Cup Compulsory friendlies – 2011
DHL Stormers: Vodacom Super Rugby – 2011
DHL Western Province: Vodacom Cup – 2011
Western Province: ABSA Under 21 Competition – 2010
Vodacom Western Province: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2010
Western Province: Vodacom Cup – 2010
Western Province: ABSA Under 21 Competition – 2009
Vodacom Western Province: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2009
Vodacom Western Province: Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – 2009
Vodacom Western Province: British Irish Lions Tour – 2009
Maties: FNB Varsity Cup – 2009
Western Province: Vodacom Cup – 2009
Vodacom Western Province u19: ABSA Under 19 Competition – 2008
Eastern Province: U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week – 2007
Zane Kirchner – A potential Southern Kings Player?
Zane Kirchner:
Position: Fullback (15) Centre (1)
Province: Blue Bulls (from 2008), Griquas (2003-2007)
Springbok number: 804
Squad List:
South Africa: The Castle Rugby Championship – 2012
South Africa: Castle Incoming Tours – 2012
Vodacom Bulls: Vodacom Super Rugby – 2012
South Africa: IRB Rugby World Cup – 2011
Vodacom Blue Bulls: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2011
Vodacom Bulls: Vodacom Super Rugby – 2011
South Africa: Outgoing Tours – 2010
Vodacom Blue Bulls: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2010
South Africa: Vodacom Tri-Nations – 2010
Vodacom Bulls: Vodacom Super 14 – 2010
South Africa: Vodacom Incoming Tours – 2010
South Africa: Vodacom Outgoing Tours – 2009
Vodacom Blue Bulls: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2009
Emerging Springboks: British Irish Lions Tour – 2009
South Africa: British Irish Lions Tour – 2009
Vodacom Bulls: Vodacom Super 14 – 2009
Bulls: MTN test – 2009
Vodacom Blue Bulls: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – 2008
Vodacom Bulls: Vodacom Super 14 – 2008
Wildeklawer Griquas: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – 2007
Wildeklawer Griquas: Vodacom Cup – 2007
Vodacom Cheetahs: Vodacom Super 14 – 2007
Wildeklawer Griquas: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2006
Wildeklawer Griquas: Vodacom Cup – 2006
Griqualand West: ABSA Under 21 Competition – 2005
Wildeklawer Griquas: ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round – 2005
Wildeklawer Griquas: Vodacom Cup – 2005
Wildeklawer Griquas: ABSA U20 Competition Section B – 2004
Griquas: Vodacom Shield – 2004
Griquas: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2004
Nashua Griquas: ABSA U20 Section B – 2003
Leopards: ABSA U20 A Section – 2003
Nashua Griquas: ABSA Currie Cup – Premier Div. – 2003
Griquas: Vodacom Shield – 2003
Griffons U/19: U19 Competition – 2002
South Western Districts U/19: U19 Competition – 2002
Lwazi Mvovo – A potential Southern Kings Player?
Lwazi Ncedo Mvovo:
Position: Wing
Club: Province: Kwazulu Natal
Springbok number: 821
Squad List:
South Africa: The Castle Rugby Championship – 2012
South Africa: Castle Incoming Tours – 2012
Sharks: Vodacom Super Rugby – 2012
The Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2011
Sharks: Vodacom Super Rugby – 2011
South Africa: Castle Tri-Nations – 2011
South Africa: Outgoing Tours – 2010
Springboks: Outgoing Tours – 2010
Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2010
Sharks XV: Vodacom Cup – 2010
The Sharks: Vodacom Super 14 – 2010
Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2009
Sharks Invitational XV: Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – 2009
Sharks: British Irish Lions Tour – 2009
Sharks XV: Vodacom Cup – 2009
Sharks: MTN test – 2009
The Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – 2008
Wildebeest: Vodacom Cup – 2008
Sharks U/21: ABSA Under 21 Competition – 2007
SA Amateur: Africa Cup – Pool South – 2007
Wildebeest: Vodacom Cup – 2007
Kwa-Zulu Natal: Inter-Provincial Sevens Competition – Men – 2006
KZN U21: ABSA Under 21 Competition – 2006
Border: SA Under 19 – 2005
Border Bulldogs: ABSA U20 Competition Section B – 2004
Border: U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week – 2004
Frans Steyn – A potential Southern Kings Player?
Francois Philippus Lodewyk Steyn:
Positions: Centre (23) Fullback (19) Flyhalf (5) Wing (3)
Province: KZN (2006-2009), Racing Metro (France)
Springbok number: 783
Squad List:
South Africa: The Castle Rugby Championship – 2012
South Africa: Castle Incoming Tours – 2012
Sharks: Vodacom Super Rugby – 2012
South Africa: IRB Rugby World Cup – 2011
South Africa: Castle Tri-Nations – 2011
South Africa: Outgoing Tours – 2010
South Africa: Vodacom Tri-Nations – 2010
South Africa: Vodacom Tri-Nations – 2009
South Africa: British Irish Lions Tour – 2009
The Sharks: Vodacom Super 14 – 2009
South Africa: Vodacom Outgoing Tour – 2008
South Africa: Vodacom Tri-Nations – 2008
The Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – 2008
South Africa: Vodacom Incoming Tours – 2008
The Sharks: Vodacom Super 14 – 2008
South Africa: IRB Rugby World Cup – 2007
South Africa: Vodacom Outgoing Tour – 2007
Springboks XV: Vodacom Outgoing Tour – 2007
The Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – 2007
South Africa: Vodacom Tri-Nations – 2007
South Africa: Vodacom Incoming Tours – 2007
Wildebeest: Vodacom Cup – 2007
The Sharks: Vodacom Super 14 – 2007
South Africa: World Cup warm-up matches – 2007
The Sharks: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2006
South Africa: IRB Under 19 World Championship – 2006
South Africa: Vodacom Outgoing Tours – 2006
Springbok XV: Vodacom Outgoing Tours – 2006
Free State: SA Under 19 – 2005
Free State: ABSA Under 21 Competition – 2005
South Africa: IRB U19 World Championships – 2005
Free State: U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week – 2004
Jano Vermaak – A potential Southern Kings Player?
Jano Vermaak:
Playing Position: Scrumhalf
Province/Union: Blue Bulls (from 2011, previously Falcons and Golden Lions)
Squad List:
South Africa: The Castle Rugby Championship – 2012
South Africa: Castle Incoming Tours – 2012
Vodacom Bulls: Vodacom Super Rugby – 2012
MTN Golden Lions: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2011
Vodacom Blue Bulls: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2011
MTN Lions: Vodacom Super Rugby – 2011
Xerox Lions: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2010
Lions: Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – 2010
Golden Lions: Vodacom Cup – 2010
Auto General Lions: Vodacom Super 14 – 2010
Xerox Lions: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2009
Xerox Lions: Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – 2009
Xerox Golden Lions: British Irish Lions Tour – 2009
Emerging Springboks: British Irish Lions Tour – 2009
Auto General Lions: Vodacom Super 14 – 2009
Lions: MTN test – 2009
Xerox Lions: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – 2008
Xerox Lions: Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies – 2008
Auto General Lions: Vodacom Super 14 – 2008
Golden Lions: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Div – 2007
SA Emerging: IRB Nations Cup – 2007
Lions: Vodacom Super 14 – 2007
Lions: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2006
South Africa: IRB Under 21 World Championship – 2006
Cats: Vodacom Super 14 – 2006
Lions: ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – 2005
Golden Lions: ABSA Under 21 Competition – 2005
Lions: ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round – 2005
Golden Lions: Vodacom Cup – 2005
South Africa: IRB Sevens New Zealand – 2005
Golden Lions: ABSA U20 Competition Section A – 2004
Falcons: ABSA U20 Section B – 2003
