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Port Elizabeth - Southern Kings CEO Charl Crous has congratulated the quartet of captain Lionel Cronje, Andisa Ntsila, Chris Cloete and Makazole Mapimpi who have been invited to be among an extended group of players to the third Springbok training camp, from May 21-23.
“Lionel Cronje, Andisa Ntsila, Chris Cloete and Makazole Mapimpi have done well in what has been an impressive team effort by all involved in ensuring that the Southern Kings enjoy the good results we have had this season,” Crous said via a press statement on Monday.
The players were rewarded for their performances that have seen the Kings win their last three matches in the Super Rugby competition.
“This call-up for the players is reflective of the hard work that has been put in by the head coach, Deon Davids, his coaching staff, the rest of the Southern Kings players and staff since the pre-season build-up.
“We wish our players, and the rest of the Springbok extended squad the very best for the camp.”
A proud King coach, Davids, is pleased with the recognition his side and players have received this season, particularly the national call up of the quartet.
“These players have worked really hard, together with the rest of the squad, to earn the recognition that they have received,” Davids said.
“Given the fact that all four of these players are born and bred in the Eastern Cape, it is a reflection of the continued amount of talent that is at our disposal in the region. It is indicative of the fact that the province continues to manufacture quality players who can add value to South African rugby.
“The entire Southern Kings family celebrates with these players for what they have achieved so far, while we remain focused on the hard work that still needs to be done to ensure we continue on an upward curve in our Super Rugby campaign.”
Cronje, Cloete, Mapimpi and Ntsila are the first Southern Kings players to receive call-ups to a national camp since former flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis, who featured for the Southern Kings in 2013 and was called up to a training camp under former Bok coach Heyneke Meyer.
The inclusion of the four players comes on the back of the selection of winger, Yaw Penxe, to the SA Under-20 squad, that will travel to Tbilisi, Georgia, to take part in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.
The extended Springbok squad for the training camp from May 21-23 in Johannesburg (in alphabetical order):
1. Lukhanyo Am (centre, Sharks)
2. Ruan Botha (lock, Sharks)
3. Chris Cloete (flank, Southern Kings)
4. Andries Coetzee (fullback, Emirates Lions)
5. Lionel Cronje (flyhalf, Southern Kings)
6. Ross Cronje (scrumhalf, Lions)
7. Damian de Allende (centre, Stormers)
8. Lood de Jager (lock, Bulls)
9. Ruan Dreyer (prop, Lions)
10. Jean-Luc du Preez (flank, Sharks)
11. Thomas du Toit (prop, Sharks)
12. Pieter-Steph du Toit (lock, Stormers)
13. Dewaldt Duvenage (scrumhalf, Stormers)
14. Eben Etzebeth (lock, Stormers)
15. Warrick Gelant (fullback, Bulls)
16. Lizo Gqoboka (prop, Bulls)
17. Elton Jantjies (flyhalf, Lions)
18. Siya Kolisi (flank, Stormers)
19. Jaco Kriel (flank, Lions)
20. Jesse Kriel (centre/Fullback, Bulls)
21. Pat Lambie (flyhalf, Sharks)
22. Dillyn Leyds (wing, Stormers)
23. Frans Malherbe (prop, Stormers)
24. Makazole Mapimpi (wing, Southern Kings)
25. Lionel Mapoe (centre, Lions)
26. Malcolm Marx (hooker, Lions)
27. Bongi Mbonambi (hooker, Stormers)
28. Franco Mostert (lock, Lions)
29. Tendai Mtawarira (prop, Sharks)
30. Sikhumbuzo Notshe (loose forward, Stormers)
31. Andisa Ntsila (flank, Southern Kings)
32. Trevor Nyakane (prop, Bulls)
33. Coenie Oosthuizen (prop, Sharks)
34. Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker, Sharks)
35. Jan Serfontein (centre, Bulls)
36. Courtnall Skosan (wing, Lions)
37. Jano Vermaak (scrumhalf, Stormers)
38. Harold Vorster (centre, Lions)
39. Warren Whiteley (No 8, Lions)
