A round-up of what some of South Africa’s leading Sunday papers are saying, including a look at what the Springbok squad to take on Scotland and Georgia could look like.
The Springboks will face Georgia and Scotland during the July internationals this year. According to Rapport writers Hendrik Cronje and Brenden Nel, Aphelele Fassi and Wandisile Simelane could be among a host of players who earn their first caps against Georgia in Port Elizabeth on 18 July. The Test match will reportedly be used to blood some of the country’s most promising players. The duo could also be named in an SA A team that will play against the same opponents.
Staying with the Springboks, Rapport also has an update on how the selection process for the Test squad will work this year. According to the report, Peter Jooste and James Stoffberg will continue in their roles as Springbok selectors and advise Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber. The SA Rugby director of rugby and Bok coach will still select the team, but following protocol it will go to the Springbok selectors and SA Rugby president Mark Alexander and CEO Jurie Roux to sign off. The process will not change from last year, despite Erasmus stepping up into the director of rugby role and he will still have the final say on selections.
Finally, there is currently debate between the South African rugby unions as to whether the format of the Currie Cup should change again this year. The Currie Cup was a single-round competition last year, however, according to Rapport it could revert a double-round format which would take place during the Vodacom Super Rugby playoffs and PRO14.
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