Boks tourists take aim at Lions

Marinos says the Sprinboks will bring some exciting new talents to Britain

Andy Marinos says South Africa will still be strong despite leaving out senior players for November's tour Tests with Wales, Scotland and England.

The South African Rugby Union acting managing director and ex-Wales centre says players know places are up for grabs to face the Lions next year.

Butch James, Joe van Niekerk and CJ van der Linde have not been chosen to tour.

"It's an ideal opportunity to give other, younger players an opportunity to stake a claim," Marinos said.

"It also gives the coach opportunity to look at a couple new different combinations and try and make sure that he can get his best 22 guys fit and ready for battle, be it now in the northern hemisphere or certainly next year when the Lions land on our shores."

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has chosen not to pick any of the Springboks' overseas-based players for his squad to tour Britain in November.

There's a lot of experience there and a lot of youth Andy Marinos

James, who has been playing for Bath this season, is South Africa's established fly-half but the likes of Ruan Pienaar will be given his chance on tour as De Villiers looks to build strength in depth.

Marinos says several players have shone in South Africa's recent domestic Currie Cup competition and tips Sharks number eight Ryan Kankowski to make a big impression.

"So in guys like Butch and CJ and BJ that are playing over or up north we certainly know what we've got in those guys," Zimbabwe-born Marinos, who won eight Wales caps between 2002 and 2003, told Scrum V Radio.

"A guy like Ryan Kankowski had an unbelievable Currie Cup, really picked up on the form that he had during the Super 14 and really has made a huge impression.

"Across the squad you know it hasn't moved much from the bulk of that squad that played at the World Cup, so there's a lot of experience there and a lot of youth and we're certainly very positive and excited for the end of year tour."

Marinos admits South Africa have had little time to prepare for the tour with the Currie Cup final only being played last weekend - the Sharks beating the Blue Bulls 14-9 in Durban.

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"It's been a bit rushed to be quite honest, the guys, the majority of them, only finished up with the Currie Cup final on Sunday and we gave them a couple of days off," Marinos said.

"So only hit the training field with earnest yesterday (Wednesday), so ja, but the mood is good.

"The guys are upbeat, obviously it's always nice to get the bulk of your squad who have just finished playing and come off what has been quite an interesting Currie Cup domestic season."

The South Africa squad departs on 31 October, ahead of the first Test against Wales in Cardiff on 8 November, followed by Scotland at Murrayfield and England at Twickenham.