Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has unveiled a 36-man squad for five upcoming Test matches on the end-of-year tour.
The squad includes 21 forwards and 15 backline players, while a standby list features seven forwards – Juarno Augustus (No 8), Neethling Fouche (prop), Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Salmaan 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).
Although some players are on the so-called standby list, it’s hugely significant that someone like Bongi Mbonambi has not been included in the touring squad.
The veteran hooker has seen himself usurped by some up-and-coming players such as Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Johan Grobbelaar, who has just returned from injury.
Similarly, Vincent Koch has seen himself slip down the pecking order as Wilco Louw and Thomas du Toit have impressed this season.
It is quite interesting to see that Marnus van der Merwe has also effectively been ‘dropped’ after featuring in the Rugby Championship, but the Springboks clearly want to see Grobbelaar get back into the mix.
Who else is missing from Springbok squad?
There are two other players who were on the fringes of the national squad during the Rugby Championship, Faf de Klerk and Makazole Mapimpi, but they have also fallen onto the ‘standby’ list.
Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams and Morne van den Berg will continue to serve as the three scrumhalves in the squad, while Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe crack the nod ahead of Mapimpi as some veteran players clearly begin to hand over the baton.
Squad for the Outgoing Tour:
Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
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).
