South African rugby is heading into another political storm after a sensational sleight-of-hand by officials in the naming of the Springbok World Cup training squad yesterday.
Late last week, Springbok coach Jake White and his co-selectors chose 45 players to prepare for the September-October World Cup. They handedthe names to South African rugby officials in Durban.
However, when the squad was later read out in a pre-recorded item for television, it contained 46 names, the newcomer being contentious Stormers flanker and captain Luke Watson.
His name appears to have been added by South African Rugby president Oregan Hoskins without consulting White. White is understood to be furious. The first he knew of the addition came when he heard it read out on television by team manager Zola Yeye.
Watson and White have long had a tetchy relationship. Watson told a magazine in August, after being overlooked for the Springboks, that White had "lost the integrity, honour and pride that the Bok should be about".
White's footballing argument has been that Watson lacks the required height and there are better flankers in South Africa.
South Africa's Sunday Times newspaper understands a threat was made to White last week that he had to pick two particular players in the squad, Watson and a black player.
White is believed to have relented on one, but, given their relationship, it's thought he was unlikely to have buckled on Watson.
The newspaper described SA Rugby's behaviour as "at best ... highly unusual; at worst, devious and underhand".
Among those White and the selectors legitimately selected are former captain Bob Skinstad, 30, who came out of retirement after a four-year absence from the South African team.
There are four uncapped players, a Sharks trio of hooker Bismarck du Plessis, centre Waylon Murray and wing Odwa Ndungane, plus Watson. Ndungane joins his twin, Bulls wing Akona, in the squad.
Sixteen Sharks and 12 Bulls have made the cut. There are eight Stormers, and five each from the Cheetahs and Lions.
The squad will prepare for the first test of the year, against England in Bloemfontein on May 26.
