Six players have received their first Springbok call-up after coach Rassie Erasmus announced the Springbok squad of 37 for the November tour, the second phase of the Nations Championship, on Wednesday.
Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton and Emmanuel Tshituka are included for the Boks' last four tests of the season.
The squad must however do without Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, André Esterhuizen and Handré Pollard. All four have been ruled out due to injury.
Newcomers already familiar with national setup
Although the six newcomers have not yet played test rugby, they are already familiar with the national setup. Ahmed, Giliomee, Muller and Tshituka have turned out for the SA A team against Zimbabwe, while Norton, a former Junior Springbok captain, played against the Barbarians earlier this year. De Klerk attended a national alignment camp last season.
According to Erasmus, their consistent performances over the past two seasons clinched it.
"We have been monitoring these six players for quite some time. They have performed consistently for their respective franchises over the past two seasons and fully deserve their call-ups," he says.
Erasmus says expanding the Boks' player depth remains a core priority. Norton, Giliomee and Ahmed were also part of Junior Springbok squads that won the junior world title, while Giliomee additionally played for the Blitzboks.
"It will undoubtedly be a completely different challenge to take on some of the top teams in international rugby, but we have full confidence that they will do their best on tour."
The newcomers join an experienced core squad that includes captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende.
Erasmus says it is disappointing to lose players of the injured quartet's calibre, but he is satisfied with the available cover. It also gives other players the opportunity to stake their claim.
Italy, France and Ireland await Boks
The Boks currently lead the Southern Hemisphere division of the Nations Championship. South Africa and New Zealand each have 15 points, with the Boks topping the standings thanks to a better point difference.
South Africa faces Italy on seven November, France on 13 November and Ireland on 21 November. The final weekend takes place from 27 to 29 November in London.
Erasmus warns that each opponent will present a different challenge and that the competition format adds further weight to the matches.
He says Italy, which according to the announcement is 11th on the world rankings, will be dangerous in front of their home crowd and must certainly not be underestimated.
France and Ireland will present equally tough tests. Both have won two of their first three matches in the competition and are targeting the top spot among the Northern Hemisphere teams.
"Every point counts," says Erasmus. "We have a big task ahead of us and it will be important to be in form from the start."
The Springboks will assemble in different groups in Italy on Sunday and Monday.
Springbok squad for November tour
Props: Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen and Gerhard Steenekamp.
Hookers: Malcolm Marx and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Locks: Lood de Jager, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortje, Riley Norton and Franco Mostert.
Flankers: Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi, Cameron Hanekom, Emmanuel Tshituka and Jasper Wiese.
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marco van Staden.
Scrumhalves: Cobus Reinach, Morné van den Berg and Grant Williams.
Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Luan Giliomee and Manie Libbok.
Centres: Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Markus Muller and Canan Moodie.
Wings: Sebastian de Klerk, Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse.
Source: SA Rugby
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
