This was an intriguing choice of tour for Canada in their preparations for the World Cup – a first ever visit to South Africa.
There could be little doubt about outcomes, the Books sitting a whole ten places below them in the world rankings. But Kévin Rouet felt it would be entirely beneficial for his players; it would be even more useful for the ambitious Boks.
And so it turned out, Canada beating South Africa 50-22 in the first test. This was the winners’ squad:
1. HUNT 2. BOAG 3. MENIN 4. CROSSLEY 5. O’DONNELL 6. ROYER 7. FORTEZA 8. SENFT 9. APPS 10. PERRY 11. BERMUDEZ 12. TESSIER 13. SYMONDS 14. CORRIGAN 15. SCHELL
16. *PHILLIPS 17. NELSON 18. WOOD 19. R. SMITH 20. BEUKEBOOM 21. BUISA 22. PELLETIER 23. SEUMANUTAFA
(*uncapped)
That is not a million miles from a “final” 23.
Now Rouet has published his side for the second test:
1. KASSIL 2. BOAG 3. DEMERCHANT 4. BEUKEBOOM 5. ROYER 6. BUISA 7. PAQUIN 8. SENFT 9. PELLETIER 10. GALLAGHER 11. NORSTEN 12. GRANT 13. SEUMANUTAFA 14. SCURFIELD 15. SCHELL
16. McKNIGHT 17. NELSON 18. WOOD 19. O’DONNELL 20. R. SMITH 21. DE GOEDE 22. APPS 23. SYMONDS
The name that reflects in the headlights is Sophie de Goede, returning after a 13-month lay-off due to a “knee injury”. It has to be admitted that the Maple Leafs have managed perfectly well without her presence. Even her place-kicking has been successfully replaced by Julia Schell.
With De Geode’s return, who knows?
Detail:
Second test v South Africa
12 July
Gqueberha (ex-Port Elizabeth)
