Springboks name new-look squad for Ireland series

Springboks head coach Allister Coetzee has announced a new-look 31-man squad for the three-Test series against Ireland in June.

The squad contains as many as nine uncapped players which include Garth April (flyhalf), Ruan Combrinck (wing), Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Nic Groom (scrumhalf), Steven Kitshoff (prop), Jaco Kriel (flank), Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (flank) and Scarra Ntubeni (hooker).

Nearly 17 players, including Ruan Pienaar and Handré Pollard were unavailable for selection due to injuries or illness and seven players, including Francois Hougaard, Bryan Habana, Juan de Jongh, Seabelo Senatla, Cheslin Kolbe, Warrick Gelant and Siviwe Soyizwapi will be associated with either South Africa 'A' team or Sevens team, thereby missing on the selection.

The squad has a mixture of 17 forwards and 14 backs and Coetzee revealed that the captain will be named in the week of the first Test.

The 53-year-old admitted that the selection of the squad was a challenging task and stressed on the importance to give the right exposure to the younger players.

"The announcement of the squad, while hugely challenging, is a highlight of my career and a result of a lot of hard work and a huge amount of planning since my appointment," said Coetzee.

"The selection of this squad was based on rewarding form and exposing young and upcoming local players to the Springboks, which is why priority was given to locally-based players.

"We have many experienced players still available for selection, but we just felt that the time was right to look at the next generation.

"I was appointed to win Test matches and I believe we have picked the best possible, available squad to do that."

The squad will now converge for a two-week preparatory camp on Sunday in Stellenbosch and Cape Town.

The Test series will kick-off with the first game on 11th June in Cape Town while the second and third Tests will be played on 18th and 25th June in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth respectively.

South Africa squad:

Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Jaco Kriel, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Scarra Ntubeni, Trevor Nyakane, Julian Redelinghuys, Adriaan Strauss, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley.

Backs: Garth April, Ruan Combrinck, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Nic Groom, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Patrick Lambie, Willie le Roux, Lionel Mapoe, Lwazi Mvovo, Rudy Paige, JP Pietersen, Jan Serfontein.