Seven omissions from the Springboks' 41-man training squad

Professional rugby can be a tough enviroment at times – just ask this lot. We look at seven players that missed out on Jacques Nienaber’s 41-man Springbok training squad ahead of the Rugby Championship.

Ivan van Zyl
He hasn’t been in the Springbok reckoning for the guts of five years but his form in the Gallagher Premiership suggests might have felt like he had a chance of knocking on the Test once again. The truth is the Springboks have insane depth at scrumhalf, with Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Herschel Jantjies, Cobus Reinach and Grant Williams all making the cut ahead of him.

Elton Jantjies
His own worst enemy, Elton Jantjies has unsurprisingly failed to secure a spot in the coveted 41-man squad. His exclusion suggests that his chances of featuring in the 33-man Rugby World Cup squad are dwindling. With Handre Pollard, Damian Willemse and the in-form Manie Libbok all preferred ahead of him, Jantjies chances of regaining his place at this stage look bleak. His off-field antics and stormy private life certainly haven’t helped, but the brute fact is he’s never convinced Bok management that he has what it takes at Test level.

Warrick Gelant
The omission of Warrick Gelant from the Springbok training squad is a blow to the talented fullback’s aspirations, but hardly a surprise. Despite being known for his attacking flair and ability to create scoring opportunities, the Racing 92 man’s absence leaves him very much on the fringes of the national team. The truth is Gelant hasn’t been pulling up trees for the Parisian side this season, and he simply hasn’t done enough to warrant being picked ahead of any of the five outside backs that are currently ahead of him.

Elrigh Louw
Elrigh Louw, a promising loose forward, has fallen short in the fierce competition for a place in the Springbok training squad. Despite his potential and versatility, with the Boks’ formidable loose forward lineup comprising of the likes of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, and injury-doubt Siya Kolisi, Louw always faced an uphill battle to break into the squad. However, injuries to players ahead of him may open a door for his inclusion.

Marcell Coetzee
Personal injury and the mixed form of the Bulls have cost Coetzee a chance of making the squad and he looks like a real outside bet to feature for the Springboks ever again. In a national squad brimming with size, power and athleticism, Coetzee may simply be viewed as more of the same, even if he’s still one of the most formidable loose forwards in the game when fit.

Hacjivah Dayimani
Dayimani might be the most hard-done by player on this list, not least given Siya Kolisi looks unlikely to recover in time for France. Known for his explosive speed and agility, Dayimani has failed to secure a place despite standout performances this season for the Stormers in the URC. With the likes of Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, and Jasper Wiese making the cut, Dayimani will need to bide his time and wait for an opening.

Frans Steyn
Frans Steyn – the seasoned veteran who can cover standoff, centre and fullback – finds himself on the outside looking in due to unfortunate circumstances. A knee injury has prevented him from making the training squad. Steyn’s experience and versatility, suggest that if he does recover in time, the Cheetahs veteran has a good chance of being the first off the rank if the Boks suffer injuries in the backline. It’s a big if though.

The exclusion of Jantjies, Gelant, Du Preez, Coetzee, Louw, Dayimani, and the injury-related absence of Frans Steyn from the Springbok training squad indicates that their chances of featuring in the Rugby World Cup squad are now pretty remote. However, in the unpredictable and brutal world of rugby union, injuries can create opportunities, opening the door for these players to potentially make a return.

Props: Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Stade Francais), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92).

Hookers: Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks).

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers), RG Snyman (Munster), Jean Kleyn (Munster) (pending)

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Ulster), Jasper Wiese (Leicester).

Utility Forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).