Rugby Championship
South Africa omit Jean de Villiers from squad to face Australia
ESPN Staff
July 12, 2015
Jean de Villiers of South Africa during the match between South Africa and World VX
Jean de Villiers of South Africa during the match between South Africa and World VX© Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images

Jean de Villiers has been omitted from South Africa's squad for their opening match in the Rugby Championship against Australia.

De Villiers, 34, who starred in the Springboks' 46-10 victory over the World XV at Newlands on Saturday, will instead return to Western Province in order to gain playing time in their Currie Cup warm-up matches over the next fortnight. The 31-man touring squad consists of 22 players who faced the World XV team plus nine who didn't feature, including Jan Serfontein, Schalk Brits and Lionel Mapoe.

The Boks have been rocked by injuries over the past few months and coach Heyneke Meyer indicated that he would give key players every chance to rehabilitate prior to linking up with the squad.

"I would like to give as many of our squad members as possible game time in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup, so there will be changes against the Wallabies," Meyer said.

"We'll re-assess the minor bumps and bruises when we get to Brisbane on Monday evening [Australian time]. It's a short week so the guys will have to find their rhythm quickly before we play what promises to be a very tough and intense Test match against Australia."

Not travelling to Brisbane are Duane Vermeulen, Willem Alberts, Frans Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Steven Kitshoff. All will press on with their individual recuperation away from the team while the remained of the squad will head to Pretoria as the 1995 and 2007 Rugby World Cup champions continue to work on their conditioning ahead of a busy autumn.

© ESPN Staff

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