The South African Rugby Union (SARU) defended its decision to add Luke Watson to the Springboks squad against the wishes of the national selectors.
Watson was attached to his first Boks squad by SARU president Oregan Hoskins, deputy Koos Basson and vice president Mike Stofile on Saturday, causing selectors convener Peter Jooste to say his panel was undermined by the administrators and unhappy with the procedure.
"We accept that not all role-players in the selection process were in agreement on some of the players selected," the union said in a statement on Monday. "Having said that, we are convinced that SA Rugby has named the best available 46 players for the training camp."
PHOTO: AFP
"As is the case with any team selection, it is extremely difficult to find absolute consensus on who should be in the team," the statement said.
The squad, without the Sharks and Bulls players preparing for the Super 14 final, will gather today in Bloemfontein and be trimmed to 30 on Friday.
Asked if Watson didn't make Friday's cut, whether the SA Rugby presidency would step in again, Jooste told the Cape Times, "I hope not. I can't say beforehand, but it is not ideal."
Watson, the Stormers captain and flanker, was keen to shake off the controversy.
"I am in the squad now, so there's no turning back," he said. "I am honored and privileged to be called up and I hope to make the most of the opportunity. I have worked hard to get to this point and now I'm going to work even harder to stay in the squad."
Many in the Springboks squad were said to have become resentful of Watson because of his long-running feud with coach Jake White, but Watson said he wasn't worried about a possible cold reception.
"I'm not concerned about how the players will react to me," he said. "I am friendly with many of the Sharks guys, while there will be quite a few Stormers players there as well. I hope to do my best and take it from there."
His father was former anti-apartheid activist Dan "Cheeky" Watson, who declined selection for the Springboks in 1976 because of apartheid.
"My dad still has strong political views and I support him fully," Luke Watson told the Cape Times. "I am proud to have made it this far, but there is still a long way to go [before I win a Springbok cap]."
South Africa's first Test match against England is on May 26 at Bloemfontein.
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