This Springbok is no longer a part of SA Rugby’s player of national interest scheme. Therefore, he has decided to leave South Africa to play his rugby abroad,
This Springbok has gone from starting for the Boks to being told he is not a part of their plans.
Springboks hooker, Joseph Dweba has been told by SA Rugby that he is not a major or immediate part of their plans.
Interestingly, with this in mind the Springboks forward has signed for a big club abroad. Therefore, he will be leaving the Stormers and departing SA to join his new club.
SPRINGBOKS FORWARD UNLIKELY TO FEATURE FOR SA THIS SEASON
Just under two years ago, Dweba was named as the starting Springboks hooker to take on the All Blacks at Ellis Park. However, since then he has faced a series of unlucky events that have lead to today. Now, he is unlikely to play any role for the Springboks during this season.
“The report states that the hooker is no longer part SA Rugby’s player of national interest scheme,” the
report read on PlanetRugby.
Additionally, Dweba did not make the Rassie Erasmus’ 39-man Springboks squad. However, he is amongst the 14-players on standby. Ultimately, the players on standby will replace any squad members who get injured. As things stand, Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi are the established hookers. Meanwhile, Bulls hooker, Johan Grobbelaar has been called up to the SA squad after a stand-out URC campaign.
STORMER LEAVES FOR THE UK
With this in mind, Dweba has decided to join UK-based outfit Sale Sharks. Moreover, the Premiership club has a strong history of signing SA talent.
Especially, powerful forwards. Namely, the likes of Connie Oosthuizen, Akker van Der Merwe, Jean-Luc Du Preez, Lood de Jager. Additionally, Fat de Klerk also featured for the English side.
READ MORE :
Springboks: Three players most unlucky to miss out!
There weren’t too many surprises in the Springbok squad for the July Tests, but some players were certainly unlucky to be omitted.
There were very few complaints about the general make-up of the squad selected by Rassie Erasmus for the Springboks’ July Tests, which kick off with a clash against Ireland next weekend
However, there is no doubt that some players can count themselves unlucky.
THREE MOST NOTEWORTHY SPRINGBOK OMISSIONS
Wilco Louw
The powerhouse prop has been an absolute wrecking ball for the Bulls at scrum time this season, and there was a real feeling that the 29-year-old may be set for a recall.
Louw hasn’t played for the Springboks since 2021, and the burly tighthead prop ultimately could not force his way into a squad that includes the likes of Frans Malherbe and Vincent Koch, while Trevor Nyakane and Thomas du Toit offer additional versatility.
Elrigh Louw
The talented youngster has enjoyed yet another standout season for the Bulls, but has only been included in the Springboks’ ‘stand by’ list of back-up players.
It appears that the Springbok coaches have ultimately preferred looking at other forwards who can cover both lock and loose forward such as Ben-Jason Dixon. The fact that Louw has not played much at No 8 recently perhaps also didn’t count in his favour.
Ruan Nortje
Another member of the impressive Bulls team that finished as runners-up in the URC. The 25-year-old emerged as one of the leading locks in the competition, but ultimately he couldn’t do enough to force his way into the Springbok mix.
Ultimately, the Springboks are well stocked at lock, with the likes of Dixon and Salmaan Moerat offering back up to veterans Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert.
SQUAD FOR INCOMING SERIES:
Forwards: Phepsi Buthelezi (Sharks), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Racing 92), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92/Sharks), Evan Roos (Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Blu Revs), RG Snyman (Munster/Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels (all Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins/Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Wilie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Players on standby:
Forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche (both Stormers), Celimpilo Gumede, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw (all Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Sharks), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers).
Backs: Suleiman Hartzenberg (Stormers), Jordan Hendrikse (Lions), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Siya Masuku (Sharks).
