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Cape Town - Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers says he can't understand why the Boks have opted to take 36 players to Europe for their year-end tour.
Heyneke Meyer's Springboks will play Tests against Ireland (Dublin, November 8), England (London, November 15), Italy (Padova, November 22) and Wales (Cardiff, November 29).
De Villiers, in an interview with Ballz Radio's Darren Scott, said the squad is too big and a few players will just go along as passengers.
"I'll be really honest with you, I can't understand how you can go to Europe and then take 36 players if there's no midweek matches. Who are you kidding? Yourself or the players you are taking along?
"You only need 30 players. If you have 30 players then there are seven players who won't play week after week. And to keep those seven players happy is a problem. And now it will become 13 players...
"So yes, I think the group is too big to control... but if you want to kid people or the players or (even) yourself, then you can probably take any number you want.
"You're placing yourself under more pressure. The players will get discouraged if they can't play and they'll lose trust in you (as coach). So keep it (the squad) small... Europe is just a night's flight away in case there are any injuries."
When asked if he felt there were a few players unlucky not to make the final squad, De Villiers singled out Western Province backs Cheslin Kolbe and Juan de Jongh.
"Kolbe could have gained some experience living with the Springboks. I can't think why Juan de Jongh is not in the team at present. We have enough leaders up front, but not so much in the backline. Now we have a captain who has won a Currie Cup, who has experienced Test rugby before, and has never been overshadowed by any Test centre. It's beyond me that a guy like him doesn't get an opportunity," said De Villiers.
De Villiers was also critical of Currie Cup champions Western Province's bus parade around the streets of Cape Town on Tuesday. He feels it is money wasted and could be better utilised.
The Springbok squad for the Outgoing Tour 2014:
Forwards (20): Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Nizaam Carr, Marcell Coetzee, Robbie Coetzee, Eben Etzebeth, Lodewyk de Jager, Jaco Kriel, Victor Matfield, Teboho Mohoje, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Julian Redelinghuys, Gurthro Steenkamp, Adriaan Strauss, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley
Backs (16): Damian de Allende, Johan Goosen, Bryan Habana, Cornal Hendricks, Francois Hougaard, Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Willie le Roux, Seabelo Senatla, Jan Serfontein, Morne Steyn, Jean de Villiers (captain)
CLICK HERE to listen to Peter de Villiers's full interview with Ballz Radio
Heyneke Meyer's Springboks will play Tests against Ireland (Dublin, November 8), England (London, November 15), Italy (Padova, November 22) and Wales (Cardiff, November 29).
De Villiers, in an interview with Ballz Radio's Darren Scott, said the squad is too big and a few players will just go along as passengers.
"I'll be really honest with you, I can't understand how you can go to Europe and then take 36 players if there's no midweek matches. Who are you kidding? Yourself or the players you are taking along?
"You only need 30 players. If you have 30 players then there are seven players who won't play week after week. And to keep those seven players happy is a problem. And now it will become 13 players...
"So yes, I think the group is too big to control... but if you want to kid people or the players or (even) yourself, then you can probably take any number you want.
"You're placing yourself under more pressure. The players will get discouraged if they can't play and they'll lose trust in you (as coach). So keep it (the squad) small... Europe is just a night's flight away in case there are any injuries."
When asked if he felt there were a few players unlucky not to make the final squad, De Villiers singled out Western Province backs Cheslin Kolbe and Juan de Jongh.
"Kolbe could have gained some experience living with the Springboks. I can't think why Juan de Jongh is not in the team at present. We have enough leaders up front, but not so much in the backline. Now we have a captain who has won a Currie Cup, who has experienced Test rugby before, and has never been overshadowed by any Test centre. It's beyond me that a guy like him doesn't get an opportunity," said De Villiers.
De Villiers was also critical of Currie Cup champions Western Province's bus parade around the streets of Cape Town on Tuesday. He feels it is money wasted and could be better utilised.
The Springbok squad for the Outgoing Tour 2014:
Forwards (20): Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Nizaam Carr, Marcell Coetzee, Robbie Coetzee, Eben Etzebeth, Lodewyk de Jager, Jaco Kriel, Victor Matfield, Teboho Mohoje, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Julian Redelinghuys, Gurthro Steenkamp, Adriaan Strauss, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley
Backs (16): Damian de Allende, Johan Goosen, Bryan Habana, Cornal Hendricks, Francois Hougaard, Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Willie le Roux, Seabelo Senatla, Jan Serfontein, Morne Steyn, Jean de Villiers (captain)
CLICK HERE to listen to Peter de Villiers's full interview with Ballz Radio
