Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, now in charge of the EP Elephants, has named his first squad of the season.
WATCH | PETER DE VILLIERS NAMED NEW EP ELEPHANTS COACH
At this stage it isn’t clear when the Port Elizabeth-based side will be in action.
Although still unconfirmed at this stage, the EP Elephants could be in action in around six weeks time when a new eight-team Franchise Cup tournament kicks off at the end of February.
This comes as a result of the 14-team SA Cup competition, due to start in March, seemingly having been canned.
De Villiers took to social media on Monday to reveal his 40-man squad.
It appears as though De Villiers has wiped the slate clean and is starting afresh and very few of the players will be household names, even to die-hard EP Elephants supporters.
Names that immediately jump out are prop Schalk Ferreira and former Sharks flyhalf Inny Radebe.
PETER DE VILLIERS BOASTED A DECENT SPRINGBOK RECORD
While not everyone’s cup of tea while at the helm of the Springboks, under Peter de Villiers’ leadership (from 2008 to 2011) the national side won 30 of their 48 matches.
That 62.5% win percentage included a 47% win percentage against the All Blacks, having played them 11 times, winning 5 and losing 6 of those matches.
De Villiers is the first Springbok coach since Nick Mallett to have a 100% win record over the All Blacks in a single year (2009).
De Villiers led the Springboks to victory in the 2009 Tri-Nations as well as a Test series win over the British & Irish Lions the same year.
