It is expected that four Toyota Cheetahs players will be named in Allister Coetzee’s first Springbok squad for the incoming Test series against Ireland.

Courant was reliably informed that at least three players will be receiving the special call with a possibility of a fourth.

The South African Rugby Player of the year for 2015, Lood de Jager and flank Oupa Mohoje will be in the squad.

The exciting and speedy winger, Sergeal Petersen, is also set for a call-up and with the veteran Bryan Habana unavailable for the three test series, there is a good possibility of Petersen being capped.

While there are some questions over his defence, it appears that the Cheetahs captain, Francois Venter, is also on Allister Coetzee’s radar.

It is expected that he will be playing at outside centre in the green-and-gold, but has stiff competition for the midfield role.

Stats don’t lie and they do however paint a totally different picture about the players defence.

Venter has an 81.7% tackle completion rate, while Juan de Jongh of the Stormers has 81.3% and his teammate, Damian de Allende 69.6% (4 games).

Lionel Mapoe has an excellent record with 84%, while Howard Mnisi misses 22% of his tackles.

On attack Venter also has a better record than that of De Jongh, with 21 defenders beaten as opposed to the 13 by the Stormers midfielder.

Coetzee indicated that he will not be holding training camps ahead of the Ireland series, as has been the case it the past.

On Tuesday Venter told Courant that it is a little strange, but he is sure that the mentor will communicate with them with regard to the aspects of their games that need some attention.

“Yes, it’s a very important game for us, it’s actually necessary for us to get a lot more confidence again and build on that.

“Today (Tuesday) is more of a flush out session so we can’t read too much into it, but I expect a more experienced side to play.”

Willie Britz will miss the match due to a knee injury, but Venter believes the former Kings player, Tier Schoeman, has more than proven himself since joining the Cheetahs.

“I’m very sad about Willie’s loss, he’s worked hard to get and it’s always tough to come for one game and get injured again.

“I must say Paul has been playing well for us this season.

“He plays to the ground and that’s a guy who slows the ball and that’s necessary in the way we attack and in our defence.”

The Springbok squad will assemble in Stellenbosch on 29 May ahead of the first test at Newlands in Cape Town on 11 June. – MORGAN PIEK