Updated squad: Springboks call up two more players
· The South African
The Springboks kicked off their on-field preparations on Monday for the season-opener against the Barbarians, and the SA ‘A’ game against Zimbabwe, both at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday, 20 June.
Phepsi Buthelezi (loose forward) and Carlu Sadie (prop) have been called up to the Springbok squad and will join the camp in Johannesburg in the next two days, along with the Stormers players following their URC semi-final.
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Sadie, a former Junior Springbok who attended the virtual Springbok alignment camps from France, where he plays for European champions Bordeaux Bègles, will arrive in Johannesburg on Wednesday and will add further options at prop.
Buthelezi, a versatile loose forward, impressed during with a return to form in the latter part of the Sharks’ URC campaign and also earns a deserved call up.
The training squad was announced on Saturday evening – click here for more.
Springboks preparing for busy season ahead
The Springbok squad for the opening leg of the Nations Championship against England, Scotland, and Wales will be announced on Sunday, 21 June.
“It’s great to be back on the field and to see familiar and new faces in the squad,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
“The excitement in the group to get the season underway is palpable, and we are looking forward to the week ahead.
“We are also pleased to welcome Phepsi and Carlu to the squad, and we are confident they will slot in with ease.”
UPDATED SQUAD
Forwards: Phepsi Buthelezi (Sharks), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Paul de Villiers (Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Verblitz), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Bathobele Hlekani (Lions), Hanro Jacobs (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), JJ Kotze (Stormers), Danie Kruger (Stormers), Sibabalwa Mahashe (Lions), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Riley Norton (Stormers), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Oliver Reid (Stormers), Evan Roos (Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Bègles), Emmanuel Tshituka (Sharks), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Sharks), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers), Lukhanyo Am (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Luan Giliomee (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Jurenzo Julius (Sharks), Imad Khan (Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Eagles), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Markus Muller (Stormers), Haashim Pead (Lions), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks), Nico Steyn (Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks), Jaco Williams (Sharks).