Tri-Nations
Botha and Beast miss out on Boks' squad
Scrum.com
August 16, 2010

Props BJ Botha and Tendai Mtawarira have missed the cut for the Springboks' vital Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Soweto on August 21.

The duo missed out on coach Peter De Villiers' 24-man squad for the fixture, which will take place at FNB Stadium, the venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. The Springboks are currently bottom of the Tri-Nations table after back-to-back defeats to the All Blacks and a Brisbane loss to Australia.

Also omitted from the squad are suspended Stormers centre Jaque Fourie and Sharks No.8 Ryan Kankowski, who is injured.

Racing Metro fullback Frans Steyn is absent from the panel due to injury, with the tug of war over his services having been a major headache for the selectors in recent weeks. Bulls No.15 Zane Kirchner has been recalled as a result, having start his club side's Currie Cup loss to Western Province last weekend.

The Springboks are monitoring injuries to Kirchner, flanker Dewald Potgieter and lock Danie Rossouw prior to the game. Rossouw has a hip flexor injury and is expected to be available while Potgieter has a whiplash injury after turning out for the Blue Bulls last weekend.

Kirchner twisted his knee against Province and is the major worry. He is awaiting scans to determine the extent of his injury and should he be ruled out then Gio Aplon will be the sole fit fullback in the squad.

Skipper John Smit is included and will win his 100th Test cap, while Francois Hougaard and Ricky Januarie will compete for the No.9 jersey after Sharks utility Ruan Pienaar picked up a shoulder injury while on domestic duty.

South Africa:

Backs: Gio Aplon (Stormers), Juan de Jongh (Stormers), Jean de Villiers (Western Province), Bryan Habana (Stormers), Francois Hougaard (Bulls), Butch James (Bath), Ricky Januarie (Stormers), Zane Kirchner (Bulls), Wynand Olivier (Bulls), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Morne Steyn (Bulls)

Forwards: Schalk Burger (Stormers), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Francois Louw (Stormers), Victor Matfield (Bulls), Dewald Potgieter (Bulls), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), Danie Rossouw (Bulls), John Smit (Sharks, capt), Juan Smith (Cheetahs), Pierre Spies (Bulls), Gurthrö Steenkamp (Bulls), CJ van der Linde (Cheetahs), Flip van der Merwe (Bulls)

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