Smit banks on Bok experience

Johannesburg - Springbok captain John Smit says the presence of 18 survivors from the Boks' victorious World Cup in 2007 will be vital at the 2011 version in New Zealand.

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Smit was speaking after the Boks announced their 30-man squad to travel to New Zealand for world Rugby's showpiece event.

"We've got a huge responsibility," said Smit, as South Africa's World Cup players were presented on live television in their green and gold Springboks blazers.

"This team has done a few things and we're on our way to try and do something that hasn't been done before. So, it's a huge task.

"That kind of experience, we'll draw upon it quite nicely over seven weeks. You can do as much planning as you like but you will inevitably come across a few speed bumps. And it's with that experience that you hopefully can get over those things that count at a World Cup."

Most attention ahead of the announcement was on who would be chosen as back-up to iconic lock partners Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield and to open-side flank Heinrich Brüssow.

Veteran Johann Muller from Irish province Ulster edged Gerhard Mostert from French club Stade Francais for the lock position.

Francois Louw, a recent arrival at English club Bath from Western Province, was included among the loose forwards ahead of Jean Deysel and Ashley Johnson.

Injury ruled Smith, lock Andries Bekker and eighthman Duane Vermeulen out of contention for the fifth World Cup appearance by the Springboks.

Springbok squad:

Forwards (16): Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira (Sharks), Gurthro Steenkamp (Bulls), John Smit (Sharks, capt), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), CJ van der Linde (Lions), Bakkies Botha (Bulls), Victor Matfield (Bulls, vice-capt), Johann Muller (Ulster/NIR), Danie Rossouw (Bulls), Willem Alberts (Sharks), Schalk Burger (Province), Heinrich Brüssow (Free State Cheetahs), Francois Louw (Bath/ENG), Pierre Spies (Bulls)

Backs (14): Francois Steyn (Racing Metro/FRA), Patrick Lambie (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Gio Aplon (Western Province), Jaque Fourie (Province), Jean de Villiers (Province), Juan de Jongh (Province), Bryan Habana (Province), Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), Morne Steyn (Blue Bulls), Butch James (Golden Lions), Fourie du Preez (Bulls), Francois Hougaard (Bulls), Ruan Pienaar (Ulster/NIR)