The first decisive step in the Springboks’ grand plan to conquer Europe was taken on Monday when they named a 36-man squad bristling with power among the forwards and pace to burn among the backs.
First up for the world champions, in what will be an energy-sapping and compacted tour, is a clash against Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on November 1.
After the duel at Wembley, the Boks line up against France in Paris (November 8), Italy in Turin (November 15), Ireland in Dublin (November 22) and Wales in Cardiff (November 29).
Former Junior Springbok prop and captain Zachary Porthen earned his first Springbok call-up in a squad which features four players who will return to the Bok set-up for the first time this season.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus also placed 10 players on standby, including uncapped Ulster and former World Rugby U20 Championship player of the tournament, Juarno Augustus, and Bulls back Sebastian de Klerk.
Among the injured players not considered for selection are Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Jean-Luc du Preez and Aphelele Fassi.
Porthen, who made his Stormers debut in May and is currently on tour with the team in Italy, is the only uncapped player in the 36-man squad.
Ben-Jason Dixon (flanker), Johan Grobbelaar (hooker) and Gerhard Steenekamp (prop) will make their first appearances for the team this season.
Lock Jean Kleyn, who suffered an injury during the team’s opening match of the year against the Barbarians, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Edwill van der Merwe (both wings), are all back from injury.
“We are excited about the makeup of this squad,” Erasmus said.
“Most of the players in the group have been with us throughout the season, while others are back from injury or have done the job for us before in the last few years.
“It’s also great to see a young player like Zachary, who has emerged through our junior structures, come through the ranks into the senior set-up, and we are excited to see what he can do at this level.”
“With five tough matches lined up, we always planned to select a manageable squad, and we have a solid bunch of players on standby, some of whom have been with us during stages this season, and uncapped players such as Sebastian and Juarno, who have continued to impress us with their performances.
“With Neethling and Salmaan currently in the process of returning from injury, it’s important for us that they get more game time for their Vodacom URC franchises, which was the main reason for excluding them from the 36-man squad.
“Obviously, players not included on the standby list could also be called up should the need arise.”
The squad includes 21 forwards and 15 backline players.
In comparison, the standby list features seven forwards — Augustus (No 8), Neethling Fouche (prop), Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Moerat (lock), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (prop), Evan Roos (No 8), and Vincent Tshituka (utility forward) — and three backs in Lukhanyo Am (centre), De Klerk (utility back), and Makazole Mapimpi (wing).
Springbok squad:
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Jean Kleyn, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Zachary Porthen, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese.
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams.
The Herald
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