JOHANNESBURG – Controversial Stormers flanker Luke Watson could be a surprise choice in the Springbok squad to be named on Saturday.
Watson could be one of two main surprises in the 45-man squad named by Springbok coach Peter de Villiers on Saturday, a report has claimed. The other would be Bulls reserve hooker Bandise Maku, who last year toured with the Emerging Boks to Romania and is a former SA under-21 player.The expected “surprises” were claimed in Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag.Watson, who was controversially added to the Springbok squad last year against the wishes of then Springbok coach Jake White, caused a massive controversy at the time when the rest of the team refused to accept him.Watson played one test against Samoa, whereafter he was not chosen again as White’s Boks went on to win the World Cup in France in October.Now with new coach De Villiers at the helm, Sondag claimed that Watson would be a certainty for a 45-man squad to be named next weekend.The newspaper also predicted that Maku – who has only played a handful of games this year because of Chilibou Ralepelle’s injury – would be the third hooker behind Bismarck du Plessis and captain John Smit.De Villiers would also not be bringing back exile Butch James from Bath but is considering a return for Percy Montgomery alongside Victor Matfield and Smit as the only three foreign based players to be considered.* Meanwhile, Sharks coach Dick Muir and Vodacom Stormers assistant Gary Gold were on Friday confirmed as the new Springbok assistant coaches while Peter Maimane of the Lions will serve as technical adviser in a largely new-look Springbok management team.They were named as part of a ten-person management team in conjunction with Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.”I am delighted with the coaching team we have assembled,” said De Villiers.”Gary and Dick have fine pedigrees and I have been very impressed with Peter in my previous dealings with him.I am looking forward to working with them all.”Charles Wessels (logistics manager), Dr Craig Roberts (team doctor), Renee Lombard (physiotherapist), Neels Liebel (conditioning coach), Philip Malakoane (baggage master) and Chris Hewitt (communications manager) complete the team.The position of team manager has yet to be filled.All posts were advertised and a committee headed by Professor Jannie Ferreira made the appointments after a thorough interview process, following extensive consultation with the Springbok coach.”We are confident that we have assembled a very good management team,” said Professor Ferreira.Sharks coach Muir has been a revelation since assuming the head coach position in 2005, and has guided the Durban-based team back into the top echelon of the southern hemisphere game.His appointment is a coup for South African rugby, as many teams abroad were chasing his signature.Gold has served with distinction at the Vodacom Stormers as their assistant coach and previously as their technical director.As one of the most respected tactical analysts in the game, Gold is renowned for his academic and precise approach to coaching.He is a previous head coach of Western Province and London Irish.He will continue as an assistant coach with the Vodacom Stormers to the end of the 2010 season.Maimane has previous experience as a technical analyst with the Golden Lions union and currently fills the role with the Auto & General Lions in the Vodacom Super 14 for whom he has also served as team manager.Wessels enjoys a second stint as the team’s logistics manager, following his involvement in the same role in 2004.He leaves a senior position at the Eastern Cape legislature to take up the role.The medical team is headed by Dr Roberts, who has been the team doctor at the Sharks since 2000, while Lombard served at the Vodacom Stormers from 2005.Liebel has worked closely with coach De Villiers at SA under-21 and Emerging Bok level.Malakoane is the one member of management to return from the 2007 season and is now serving with his fifth Springbok coach, having started in the role under Nick Mallett in the 2000 season.Hewitt is the communications manager.He has worked previously as a producer at Talk Radio 702 and most recently was chief rugby writer at Sports Illustrated magazine.Nampa-Reuters and SuperrugbyThe other would be Bulls reserve hooker Bandise Maku, who last year toured with the Emerging Boks to Romania and is a former SA under-21 player.The expected “surprises” were claimed in Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag.Watson, who was controversially added to the Springbok squad last year against the wishes of then Springbok coach Jake White, caused a massive controversy at the time when the rest of the team refused to accept him.Watson played one test against Samoa, whereafter he was not chosen again as White’s Boks went on to win the World Cup in France in October.Now with new coach De Villiers at the helm, Sondag claimed that Watson would be a certainty for a 45-man squad to be named next weekend.The newspaper also predicted that Maku – who has only played a handful of games this year because of Chilibou Ralepelle’s injury – would be the third hooker behind Bismarck du Plessis and captain John Smit.De Villiers would also not be bringing back exile Butch James from Bath but is considering a return for Percy Montgomery alongside Victor Matfield and Smit as the only three foreign based players to be considered.* Meanwhile, Sharks coach Dick Muir and Vodacom Stormers assistant Gary Gold were on Friday confirmed as the new Springbok assistant coaches while Peter Maimane of the Lions will serve as technical adviser in a largely new-look Springbok management team.They were named as part of a ten-person management team in conjunction with Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.”I am delighted with the coaching team we have assembled,” said De Villiers.”Gary and Dick have fine pedigrees and I have been very impressed with Peter in my previous dealings with him.I am looking forward to working with them all.”Charles Wessels (logistics manager), Dr Craig Roberts (team doctor), Renee Lombard (physiotherapist), Neels Liebel (conditioning coach), Philip Malakoane (baggage master) and Chris Hewitt (communications manager) complete the team.The position of team manager has yet to be filled.All posts were advertised and a committee headed by Professor Jannie Ferreira made the appointments after a thorough interview process, following extensive consultation with the Springbok coach.”We are confident that we have assembled a very good management team,” said Professor Ferreira.Sharks coach Muir has been a revelation since assuming the head coach position in 2005, and has guided the Durban-based team back into the top echelon of the southern hemisphere game.His appointment is a coup for South African rugby, as many teams abroad were chasing his signature. Gold has served with distinction at the Vodacom Stormers as their assistant coach and previously as their technical director.As one of the most respected tactical analysts in the game, Gold is renowned for his academic and precise approach to coaching.He is a previous head coach of Western Province and London Irish.He will continue as an assistant coach with the Vodacom Stormers to the end of the 2010 season.Maimane has previous experience as a technical analyst with the Golden Lions union and currently fills the role with the Auto & General Lions in the Vodacom Super 14 for whom he has also served as team manager.Wessels enjoys a second stint as the team’s logistics manager, following his involvement in the same role in 2004.He leaves a senior position at the Eastern Cape legislature to take up the role.The medical team is headed by Dr Roberts, who has been the team doctor at the Sharks since 2000, while Lombard served at the Vodacom Stormers from 2005.Liebel has worked closely with coach De Villiers at SA under-21 and Emerging Bok level.Malakoane is the one member of management to return from the 2007 season and is now serving with his fifth Springbok coach, having started in the role under Nick Mallett in the 2000 season.Hewitt is the communications manager.He has worked previously as a producer at Talk Radio 702 and most recently was chief rugby writer at Sports Illustrated magazine.Nampa-Reuters and Superrugby
