Visagie would've 'liked to play for Boks'

Cobus Visagie has dismissed as untrue reports that he turned down the opportunity to play for South Africa against the World XV at Leicester on Sunday.

"I would have liked to be part of the Springbok squad," said Visagie, who had already signed a contract to play for the World XV before Bok coach Jake White came knocking on his door last week.

World XV coach Bob Dwyer and organiser Steve Berrick declined to release the tighthead prop for a match that does not carry Test status. "I would really have liked to play for South Africa this week, but it's out of my hands. Bob Dwyer is taking the game very seriously," added the former Bok strongman.

"I had a very good meeting with Jake last Wednesday and felt very positive afterwards. I have played my best rugby over the last five years. I really want to play in next year's World Cup and win it. That's how any top player would like to end his career."

Visagie inflicted a humiliation on the Springbok scrum in the colours of the World XV at Ellis Park earlier this year, leading to calls for a recall to international rugby.

However, White said at the time that he had already settled on his props and would not consider Visagie.

There may only be a limited role for Visagie in the World XV side this week, as he has been released by Saracens on condition that he will play off the bench.

Meanwhile, Dwyer has added more internationals to his squad with Gareth Cooper (Wales), Scott Staniforth (Australia), Simon Shaw (England) and Johnny O'Connor (Ireland) included in a 22-man squad which boasts over 500 Test appearances.

World XV squad:

Backs:

Matt Perry (Bath & England), Thinus Delport (Worcester & South Africa), Clinton Schiscofske (Queensland Reds & Australia), Pablo Gomez Cora (Lomas Athletic & Argentina), Ryan Cross (Western Force & Australia), Drew Mitchell (Queensland Reds & Australia), Andrew Farrell (Saracens & Great Britain Rugby League), Thomas Castaignede (Saracens & France), Gareth Cooper (Newport Gwent Dragons & Wales), Justin Marshall (Ospreys & New Zealand),

Forwards:

Lawrence Dallaglio (Wasps & England capt), Takuro Miuchi (NEC Rockets & Japan), Johnny O'Connor (Wasps & Ireland), David Croft (Queensland Reds & Australia), Michael Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons & Wales), Al Campbell (ACT Brumbies & Wales, Simon Shaw (Wasps & England), Fabio Ongaro (Saracens & Italy, Alberto Vernet Basualdo (Alumni & Argentina), Cobus Visagie (Saracens & South Africa), Dave Hewett (Edinburgh & Scotland), Nic Henderson (ACT Brumbies & Australia)

Coach: Bob Dwyer (Australia). Assistant coach: Bryan Redpath (Scotland) - Sapa-AFP