Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers says Heyneke Meyer should have selected Juan de Jongh and Cheslin Kolbe for the end-of-year tour.

De Jongh and Kolbe had excellent Currie Cup campaigns for Western Province at outside centre and fullback respectively, but failed to make the 36-man Bok squad.

'Kolbe could have gained some experience living with the Springboks,' De Villiers told Ballz Radio.

'I can't think why De Jongh is not in the team. We have enough leaders up front, but not so much in the backline. Now we have a captain who has won a Currie Cup, who has experienced Test rugby before, and has never been overshadowed by any Test centre. It's beyond me that a guy like him doesn't get an opportunity.'

De Villiers also said the Bok squad was too big.

'I'll be really honest with you, I can't understand how you can go to Europe and then take 36 players if there's no midweek matches. Who are you kidding? Yourself or the players you are taking along?

'You only need 30 players. If you have 30 players then there are seven players who won't play week after week. And to keep those seven players happy is a problem. And now it will become 13 players …'

Listen to De Villiers's interview with Ballz Radio's Darren Scott

Photo: Bertram Malgas/Gallo Images