Springboks to look overseas for Wales Test in June

Shane Williams on his way to a memorable try against South Africa in 2008

South Africa will field a team stripped of a host of home-based players when they face Wales in Cardiff in June.

Coach Peter de Villiers has confirmed only two players per Super 14 franchise will be picked for the squad.

The rest of the squad will be chosen from players exiled in Europe in what will be a pre-World Cup trial for them.

The World Cup holders' coach said: "I would be skinned by the media if I didn't take the opportunity to look at players based in Europe."

The Saturday, 5 June clash at the Millennium Stadium comes just five days after the completion of the current Super 14 season.

De Villiers is unwilling to rely on his home-based players, especially ahead of a busy pre-World Cup season that will see the world champions play 14 Tests.

Instead De Villiers will focus his attention on the Tri-Nations campaign, which begins when the Springboks play New Zealand in Auckland on July 10.

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"Our focus will definitely be on the Tri-Nations this year, given that we play our first game of the tournament at the same venue where we'll be based for next year's World Cup.

"We'd be stupid not to focus on that game and, by extension, on the entire Tri-Nations tournament.

"I will take only two (contracted) Boks to Wales from each franchise, at most."

The South African Rugby Union has a policy of not selecting players plying their trade abroad.

But De Villiers will overlook that and give the likes of BJ Botha, CJ van der Linde, Wikus van Heerden, Butch James, Jean de Villiers and Frans Steyn a chance to forward their claims for a World Cup place.

"By choosing overseas-based players for the Wales Test we won't be putting the Springbok brand at risk," said De Villiers.

"Instead, it will be an opportunity for us. We won't have another chance to look at these players and at our depth again.

"I have to think about what will be best for the Springboks with a view to the World Cup, and I would be skinned by the media if I didn't take the opportunity to look at players based in Cardiff.

"I'm loath to say it, but this could be a one-off trial for players overseas to push for a World Cup place."