Rugby World Cup 2011
Johnson out of RWC squad?
2011-08-23 17:10
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Ashley Johnson (File)
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Herman Mostert Cape Town - The Cheetahs have included eightman Ashley Johnson in their team to take on Griquas in a Currie Cup match on Saturday, which in all likelihood suggests he won't be included in the Springbok squad for the World Cup.
The Springboks announce their 30-man squad for the showpiece in New Zealand at 19h30 on Tuesday evening.
This will come as a shock to many, as earlier reports indicated that Johnson should make coach Peter de Villiers's squad.
Die Burger newspaper reported on Tuesday that Johnson's versatility and skills should be enough for him to board the plane to New Zealand.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Blue Bulls included Boks Zane Kirchner (fullback), wings Bjorn Basson and Akona Ndungane, centre Wynand Olivier, lock Flip van der Merwe and props Werner Kruger and Dean Greyling in their side to take on the Leopards in a Currie Cup clash.
Jean Deysel, Lwazi Mvovo and Charl McLeod were also all present at the Sharks' training on Tuesday ahead of their clash against the Golden Lions.
This could indicate that all these players won't be part of De Villiers's World Cup plans, unless given special dispensation to play in the Currie Cup this weekend.
With Johnson potentially not making the squad, the inclusion of Bath loose forward Francois Louw seems all the more likely.
Media
reports indicated on Monday that Louw may well be in De Villiers's plans.
Teams:
Griquas:TBA
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Smit, 14 Philip Snyman, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Corne Uys, 11 Cameron Jacobs, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Johan Wessels, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Francois Uys, 3 W.P. Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Marcel van der Merwe, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Boom Prinsloo, 20 Pieter van Zyl, 21 Johan Goosen, 22 Philip Burger.