Springbok coach Peter de Villiers produced a big bolter in naming Lions utility back Earl Rose as one of two new caps in the team for the year-end tour to the United Kingdom.

Free State Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brüssow is the other debutant.

Brüssow (22) and Rose (24) were named among 28 players for Tests against Wales (November 8), Scotland (November 15) and England (November 22).

The inclusion of Rose in a team that has no specialist flyhalf is a major shocker — even more so if Rose's very poor form in the Super 14 and Currie Cup this year is taken into consideration.

It once again raises the question: 'Are all the selections for purely rugby reasons?'

What makes this even more surprising is that the Bok coach claims this is the "strongest" squad.

"We have named what we believe is the strongest squad," De Villiers said.

"It has been selected from the players we used during the Tri-Nations, as well as the form players in the Currie Cup.

"With the British & Irish Lions heading to South Africa [in June next year], these Tests are as important as any we have undertaken since our re-admission in 1992."

De Villiers' statement makes very little sense.

Surely he can't be serious if he suggests that Rose had a better season than specialist flyhalves like the Blue Bulls' Morné Steyn and Western Province's Peter Grant.

Or World Cup-winning Bok flyhalf Butch James, despite playing for Bath in England and Europe.

James had declared his availability, but the team includes no overseas-based players.

De Villiers praised the form of the two new newcomers to the squad for their outstanding form in the Currie Cup.

"Both Earl and Heinrich really put their hands up in the Currie Cup," said de Villiers.

"Earl's form may have dipped at times but he has the 'X' factor you look for in a flyhalf and has time to develop while Heinrich has really burst onto the scene and is outstanding at contesting at the breakdown."

At least Brüssow's selection can be said to contain some merit.

De Villiers recalled four players from injuries of varying length: centre Jaque Fourie, number eightRyan Kankowski, lock Bakkies Botha and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle.

The latter was rewarded for his long battle to regain fitness with a recall for the first time since 2006 — when he captained the Boks against a World XV in Leicester.

He made it clear that Ruan Pienaar is the first-choice at flyhalf — despite the players public declaration that he only wants to play scrumhalf.

"Ruan Pienaar is earmarked for the number 10 jersey as I'm looking to find a long-term successor to Butch James, following his decision to retire following the Lions tour next year.

"We decided against selecting players from overseas on this occasion as they we know they can slot in at any time but we felt that the time is right to give players like Ruan an opportunity in the No 10 jersey and we will be looking at John as a tighthead on this tour."

The squad will assemble in Cape Town on Tuesday, October 28, and depart for the UK on Friday, October 31.

South African squad:

Backs: Jean de Villiers (Western Province), Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls), Jaque Fourie (Golden Lions), Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls), Adrian Jacobs (Sharks), Conrad Jantjes (Western Province), Enrico Januarie (Western Province), Jongi Nokwe (Free State Cheetahs), Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Earl Rose (Golden Lions), Francois Steyn (Sharks).

Forwards: Andries Bekker (Western Province), Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls), Schalk Burger (Western Province), Heinrich Brüssow (Free State Cheetahs), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), Victor Matfield (Blue Bulls), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Blue Bulls), Brian Mujati (Western Province), Danie Rossouw (Blue Bulls), John Smit (captain), Juan Smith (Free State Cheetahs), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls), Gurthrö Steenkamp (Blue Bulls.

Players on standby: Peter Grant (Western Province), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Johann Muller (Sharks), Wynand Olivier (Blue Bulls), Adriaan Strauss (Free State Cheetahs), Heinke van der Merwe (Golden Lions), Jano Vermaak (Golden Lions).

  • What do YOU think of the Bok team? Leave a comment below!

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