Smit rejects B-team claims

Springbok captain John Smit has rejected claims that his side will be sending a b-team for the away leg of the Tri-Nations with 23 layers out injured.

“There are guys who have taken a bit of strain (during the Super Rugby season) and these guys that are going over there, if they’re a b-team, it is because it stands for Boks and nothing else,” said Smit on Friday.

“We are going over there to play some rugby and not just to make up the numbers and that is what happened four years ago.”

Smit is one of only a hand full of seasoned campaigners that will be going on tour and although he would not be told that the men who will be at his side will bring shame to the Bok jersey, he admitted that losing 23 men to injury has complicated matters.

“I think injuries are part and parcel of what we do,” he said.

“I don’t think the big man intended for us to run into each other at 60k’s per hour so I guess it is tough times for some guys, but the guys who are fit and have been training have shown some real good energy over the last two weeks and it has actually been good fun.”

The Springbok squad of 28 leaves for Sydney on Friday afternoon and coach Peter de Villiers confirmed that both Heinrich Brussow and Johan Muller will be on the flight although Brussow is still nursing a hamstring injury.

“They both came through although we need two or three more days with them and they will be on the plane,” said De Villiers.

The Springboks take on Australia in Sydney on July 23 and New Zealand in Wellington a week later.

Following the overseas leg of the series, the Boks host Australia in Durban on August 13 before concluding the shortened series against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth on August 20.

The final Rugby World Cup squad will be named on August 23. – Sapa