Cape Town - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer says it would be too much of a risk to pick Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brüssow for upcoming Test matches.
With a few Northern Hemisphere referees taking charge of South Africa's matches this year, Meyer feels picking the in-form Brüssow could backfire.
"It's nothing personal that I don't pick him," Meyer told the Beeld website.
GALLERY: Boks train in Durban
"I made contact with Heinrich and explained the whole situation to him. Quite a number of our Tests are handled by Northern Hemisphere referees - so that's something important which I took into consideration."
Meyer feels with the game that Brüssow plays he could be susceptible to giving away more penalties as the European referees handle the breakdown differently.
"When people ask me why I don't pick Heinrich, my counterargument is always: In whose place?
"The flanks I pick are also good in the lineouts. I honestly feel there is no-one who can be dropped in order to find a spot for him," said Meyer.
Meyer's preferred flanks are Francois Louw - who plays for Bath in England - and the Sharks' Willem Alberts. He's also been impressed by the Bulls' Arno Botha. "He can play 6, 7 and 8," Meyer said of Botha.
The Springbok squad for the Incoming Series against Italy, Scotland and Samoa will be named in Cape Town on Saturday evening.
The players and management will assemble in Durban on Sunday, ahead of the first Test there against Italy on June 8.
With a few Northern Hemisphere referees taking charge of South Africa's matches this year, Meyer feels picking the in-form Brüssow could backfire.
"It's nothing personal that I don't pick him," Meyer told the Beeld website.
GALLERY: Boks train in Durban
"I made contact with Heinrich and explained the whole situation to him. Quite a number of our Tests are handled by Northern Hemisphere referees - so that's something important which I took into consideration."
Meyer feels with the game that Brüssow plays he could be susceptible to giving away more penalties as the European referees handle the breakdown differently.
"When people ask me why I don't pick Heinrich, my counterargument is always: In whose place?
"The flanks I pick are also good in the lineouts. I honestly feel there is no-one who can be dropped in order to find a spot for him," said Meyer.
Meyer's preferred flanks are Francois Louw - who plays for Bath in England - and the Sharks' Willem Alberts. He's also been impressed by the Bulls' Arno Botha. "He can play 6, 7 and 8," Meyer said of Botha.
The Springbok squad for the Incoming Series against Italy, Scotland and Samoa will be named in Cape Town on Saturday evening.
The players and management will assemble in Durban on Sunday, ahead of the first Test there against Italy on June 8.