Former Springbok lock Flip van der Merwe has empathised with those players who don’t make the cut for the final squad chosen to defend the World Cup.
Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber are set to unveil the 33-man contingent going to the tournament in France on Tuesday, selected from a wider group of 43 players called up for the Rugby Championship and a warm-up match against Argentina.
The likes of veteran utility forward Deon Fourie, with exciting youngsters Evan Roos and Grant Williams, could miss out although potentially receive a call-up as injury cover.
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Van der Merwe, who played 37 Tests for the Boks after making his debut against France in 2010, on social media shares his experience of being omitted for the 2011 and 2015 World Cups.
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Here I am @kingshakaint in 2015 having had been cut from the squad in the morning, enjoying a @SpurRestaurant double cheddarmelt burger to get over myself and on to the next adventure. pic.twitter.com/7bGZWK9RTk
— Flip van der merwe (@flipvandermerwe) August 7, 2023
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix