UIT: Loose-forward Elrigh Louw didn’t make the cut

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EVERY Springbok squad announcement brings elation and disappointment in equal measure. Rassie Erasmus’ 37-man squad to tackle November’s Nations Championship in Europe is no different. We look at some of the winners and losers.

Winners

Luan Giliomee

The pocket rocket from Ceres in the Western Cape was a Sharks age-group player and he was so good with the Blitzboks that JP Pietersen thrust the fullback/flyhalf into the senior ranks late last United Rugby Championship season. Youngsters either sink or swim at that level. Giliomee was very much the latter.

Zek Siyaya

At just 18, Siyaya was an immediate sensation and unlocked his potential and versatility by featuring at fullback, flyhalf and wing. Sharks fans were moping when Giliomee moved to the Bulls in early October, but Siyaya’s Player of the Match performances at fullback have compensated for that loss.

Emmanuel Tshituka

The younger Tshituka ironically has had a run of starts on the flank for the Sharks in the URC because his elder brother Vincent has been injured. But the Democratic Republic of Congo brothers are extremely close, and Vincent would have been applauding “Manu” as he starred in the Sharks’ recent victories in Lyon and Cardiff. 

NOT IN: Johan Grobbelaar

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Losers

Cobus Wiese

The younger brother of Bok No.8 Jasper has been in and out of the Bok squad for a few seasons. Each time it looks like he is going to cement a place as a flank/lock, he drops out again. It is once more the latter scenario for the burly Bull as he makes way for the recalled Salmaan Moerat.

Johan Grobbelaar

The Boks have an issue at hooker where quality backup to Malcolm Marx has fallen away. But for this tour Erasmus has named Jan-Hendrik Wessels as the squad’s second hooker.

Elrigh Louw

He has had some clumsy performances lately for the Bulls as he continues to find his best form.