Marius Joubert lets his play do the talking

Marius Joubert kept the good news to himself for almost 18 hours... and it wasn't even difficult.

He's not the kind of bloke who would brag about his achievements, said Eric Sauls, the man who coached him at under-21 level last year.

Joubert's parents were, understandably, stunned when they heard of his inclusion in the Springbok squad on radio on Thursday.

"They gave me a bit of lip for not telling them personally. But when I heard on Wednesday night I didn't know how to tell them... I couldn't sleep that night," Joubert said yesterday, still trying hard to digest the news.

He is one of two new caps in Harry Viljoen's 28-man squad for the two home Tri-Nations tests against New Zealand and Australia later this month. The other is looseforward Johann van Niekerk, the 21-year-old from the Lions.

For Joubert, the call came at a time when he least expected it. This is contrary to last year when he was written up as a definite candidate for the Springboks' end-of-year tour of Argentina, Britain and Ireland.

"Last year was a setback because a lot of people thought I was undoubtedly in the squad. This year's it's different because I didn't let any talk of a Springbok call-up play on my mind," said the 21-year-old centre who made his debut for the Boland senior side in 1999.

"This is why the news was a surprise. Now I just want to concentrate on what is expected from me. I don't know what Harry has in mind for me... that I will find out when we get together next week," he added.

As much as Joubert is elated about his national call-up, he is sad that his schoolmate, De Wet Barry won't be there to share the big moment with him.

They played together for the Paarl Gymnasium first team when Joubert was in standard nine and Barry in matric.

"He was the first to congratulate me. That was touching. But I know that he will fight to get back into the squad... I would want that because he is a classy player," Joubert said.

The two teamed up in midfield for the South African under-23s last year so Joubert knows all about Barry's talent.

Joubert has plenty of that too although he went through a stage this year when he doubted whether his game would get back to the formidable level it was last year.

A groin injury was to blame - he injured it when he toured with the national under-23s last year and aggravated it at the Stormers camp in George in January and during the trials for the sevens World Cup that month.

"The injury kept me out for four months and during that time my career was like a rollercoaster.

His under-21 coach Sauls speaks highly of the player he says was unlucky not to go to Argentina with the under-21s in 1999.

Joubert pulled up with a hamstring injury during the trials.

"He deserves his place in the Springbok squad. He won't tell the world about his achievements... he does the talking on the field," Sauls said yesterday.

Joubert is gearing himself up to make a noise... hopefully against the All Blacks at Newlands on July 21.