Rassie names Bok squad for training camp
Springbok Director Of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has named a 20-man squad for a training camp in Stellenbosch this week.
No overseas-based players from the UK or France, or players involved in Saturday’s Currie Cup Final were considered for the camp
Bulls lock Lood De Jager is back following a lengthy injury lay-off, while Nyakane, who joined the Boks for their last two Rugby Championship to continue his rehabilitation and conditioning.
Tendai Mtawarira, the most experienced player in the Bok squad with 107 Test caps, was not considered due to an injury he sustained against the All Blacks in Pretoria earlier this month.
‘It is good to welcome back a player of the calibre of Lood – he will add experience to a position where we already have some very good competition for places. Duane, of course, will also bring similar valuable experience to the group,’ said Bok coach Rassie Erasmus.
‘It’s a tough tour and our preparation time is limited, but we have set ourselves some goals and as has been the case the entire season, we would like to see the squad continue to grow as a group and add to our depth with the 2019 World Cup less than a year away.’
The Springboks open their tour on Saturday, 3 November at Twickenham in London when they face England for a fourth time this year.
The Boks face France at the Stade de France in Paris, Scotland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh and Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Erasmus will announce the full Springbok tour squad after Saturday’s Currie Cup final.
Springbok training squad:
Forwards – Schalk Brits, Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi (c), Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley.
Backs – Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi, André Esterhuizen, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Embrose Papier, Handré Pollard, Ivan van Zyl.