Springboks stand by Tri-Nations winners

CAPE TOWN - Springbok coach Jake White stood by his Tri-Nations winning players of 2005 when he named a 33-man squad for next month's tests against Uruguay and France.

White included only four players who did not appear last season, three of them uncapped in halfback Enrico Januarie, wing Tonderai Chavhanga and hooker Gary Botha.

He also recalled prop Lawrence Sephaka who last appeared at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

There had been speculation that White would make changes following the dismal form of several of his leading players for the Stormers in the Super 12.

The Springboks open their season with a test against Uruguay in East London on June 11 followed by tests against France in Durban (June 18) and Port Elizabeth (25).

Springbok squad:

Backs - Percy Montgomery, Brent Russell, Breyton Paulse, Tonderai Chavhanga, Ashwin Willemse, Bryan Habana, Marius Joubert, Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, De Wet Barry, Wayne Julies, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Fourie du Preez, Bolla Conradie, Enrico Januarie.

Forwards - Joe van Niekerk, Jacques Cronje, Schalk Burger, Pedrie Wannenburg, AJ Venter, Solly Tyibilika, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw, Albert van den Berg, CJ van der Linde, Eddie Andrews, Lawrence Sephaka, Os du Randt, Gurthro Steenkamp, John Smit (captain), Hanyani Shimange, Gary Botha.

- REUTERS