Watson retains place in Bok squad

CAPE TOWN – Flank Luke Watson kept his place in the Springbok squad when it was reduced yesterday from 46 to 37 players for the first of two tests against England in Bloemfontein on May 26.

Watson was added to the initial Springbok squad by South African Rugby Union president Regan Hoskins against the wishes of Springbok coach Jake White. Centre Jaque Fourie and flyhalf Andre Pretorius were not included because of injuries while another seven capped players were cut after fitness testing and medical checks last week.They were wings Tonderai Chavhanga, Breyton Paulse and Jaco Pretorius, fullback Bevin Fortuin, prop Eddie Andrews, lock Gerrie Britz and flanker Kabamba Floors.Flank AJ Venter will join the squad after the first test as he is due to get married on match day.Squad: Backs – Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Wayne Julies, Percy Montgomery, Waylon Murray, Odwa Ndungane, Akona Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Ashwin Willemse.Forwards – Johan Ackermann, BJ Botha, Bakkies Botha, Gary Botha, Schalk Burger, Deon Carstens, Bismarck du Plessis, Os du Randt, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, Danie Rossouw, Bob Skinstad, John Smit, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp, Albert van den Berg, CJ van der Linde, Wikus van Heerden, Joe van Niekerk, AJ Venter, Luke Watson.Nampa-ReutersCentre Jaque Fourie and flyhalf Andre Pretorius were not included because of injuries while another seven capped players were cut after fitness testing and medical checks last week.They were wings Tonderai Chavhanga, Breyton Paulse and Jaco Pretorius, fullback Bevin Fortuin, prop Eddie Andrews, lock Gerrie Britz and flanker Kabamba Floors.Flank AJ Venter will join the squad after the first test as he is due to get married on match day.Squad: Backs – Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Wayne Julies, Percy Montgomery, Waylon Murray, Odwa Ndungane, Akona Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Ashwin Willemse.Forwards – Johan Ackermann, BJ Botha, Bakkies Botha, Gary Botha, Schalk Burger, Deon Carstens, Bismarck du Plessis, Os du Randt, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, Danie Rossouw, Bob Skinstad, John Smit, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp, Albert van den Berg, CJ van der Linde, Wikus van Heerden, Joe van Niekerk, AJ Venter, Luke Watson.Nampa-Reuters