Wednesday Round-Up

Centurion named for Boks: Springbok head coach Heyneke Meyer has shown his hand for this weekend’s clash with the Wallabies, with superstar winger Bryan Habana set to become South Africa’s fourth player to reach a century of international appearances. The Toulon flyer will become just the 33rd player across the history of the game to rack up 100 caps for his country, following in the footsteps of fellow Springboks Percy Montgomery, John Smit and Victor Matfield in the green and gold South African jersey. Elsewhere, there are plenty of changes to Meyer’s side who are two wins from two after the opening rounds of action, with no less than six alterations the the team from Salta. Upfront, both Adriaan Strauss and Tendai Mtawarira are recalled to the front row, with experienced second rower Victor Matfield named at lock and Marcell Coetzee included on the flank. Across the backline, Jan Serfontein partners Jean de Villers in midfield, with Morne Steyn partnering Ruan Pienaar in the halfback department. The uncapped back rower Warren Whiteley is named amongst the replacements for what will be his run on debut.

Injury for Gethin: Cardiff Blues loosehead prop Gethin Jenkins will sit out the opening weeks of this year’s domestic campaign as he looks to recover from a calf injury. Jenkins, who returned to Wales and the Blues last season after a miserable one year stint at Galactico outfit Toulon, has been struggling with a calf injury, in a problem similar to the one which forced him out of the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2013. Having suffered a grade one tear on a calf which has plagues his career over the course of the past 18 months, the length of Jenkins’ absence remains unknown according to head coach Mark Hammett. Wales fans will be hoping the three time Lions tourist returns in time to take on the might of the Southern Hemisphere in November.

JSD retires: Gloucester legend James Simpson-Daniel has been forced to call time on his career at the age of just 32. Simpson-Daniel, a hero at fortress Kingsholm, has been sidelined since last November, when he picked up an horrific ankle injury in an LV=Cup clash with Newcaste Falcons at home. Despite battling bravely to regain full fitness and target a comeback to the field this campaign, Sinbad as he is affectionately known amongst the West Country faithful, has unfortunately been forced to admit defeat in his battle. Having made his debut in 2001, Simpson Daniel went on to break all sorts of Gloucester records including his 118 tries in 250 starts. While he did represent England on 10 occasions, there will remain regrets that he did not fully establish himself on the international game.

Ryan Sheady