Eight Test-capped Springboks and two uncapped players have been placed on a 10-man standby list for South Africa’s five-Test end-of-year tour.
The Boks will face Japan in the first of five Tests on consecutive Saturdays at Wembley Stadium in London on 1 November, before lining up against France at Stade de France in Paris (8 November), Italy at the Allianz Stadium, Turin (15 November), Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (22 November), and Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff (29 November).
On Monday, Erasmus’ 36-man squad for these fixtures was revealed, with rookie Zachary Porthen’s inclusion headlining the announcement.
But Erasmus also placed 10 players on standby, including an uncapped duo in the form Ulster and former World Rugby U20 Championship Player of the Tournament, Juarno Augustus, and Vodacom Bulls back Sebastian de Klerk.
The remaining eight are all Test players, including double World Cup winners Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi and Bongi Mbonambie.
RASSIE ERASMUS ON THE SPRINGBOKS’ STANDY LIST
“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.”
PLAYERS ON STANDBY
Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Ulster), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sebastian De Klerk (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
