Rassie Erasmus has named his squad for the upcoming Test matches against Scotland, England and Wales.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named his 34-man squad for the Autumn Nations Series, with four Rugby World Cup winners rejoining the team.
Damian Willemse, Andre Esterhuizen, RG Snyman and Franco Mostert all return to the squad that features no uncapped players.
The Springboks will face Scotland, England and Wales on consecutive weekends as they wrap up their international season after winning the Rugby Championship.
Centre Esterhuizen has recovered from his shoulder injury that saw him miss the Rugby Championship and is rejoined in the squad by Leinster lock Snyman who was sidelined with a foot injury.
Meanwhile, Mostert is back to full fitness after breaking his leg in the Test series against Ireland while Willemse could earn his first cap of the year after missing the previous 10 Tests with a finger injury.
Siya Kolisi will captain the team that features many of the stars that won the Rugby Championship, with the squad departing for Jersey on October 27.
Erasmus‘ squad contains 18 forwards and 16 backs with the likes of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Salmaan Moerat (both knee injuries), Steven Kitshoff (neck) and Lood de Jager (shoulder) not considered for selection due to their injuries.
“There’s no doubt that there are several unlucky players who could easily have made the touring squad, but unfortunately we could only select 34 players,” said Erasmus.
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“That said, this squad includes a healthy mix of youth and experience, with most of these players having made a strong statement in the Springbok jersey this year.
“It’s also great to have RG, Franco, Andre, and Damian back in the mix after recovering from their injuries, and we are excited to see what impact they have on the field, especially after their disappointment of missing out on the Rugby Championship.
“Damian, Andre and RG all returned to action in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and have made a strong statement with their performances, and we all know what a work horse Franco is and the quality that he adds to the team, so there’s no doubt they’ll want to make their presence felt against quality opposition in Scotland, England and Wales, who are all ranked within the top 11 sides in the world.”
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Erasmus has selected just two hookers in the squad in the form of Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi with Bulls utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels covering prop and hooker once again. Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche and Gerhard Steenekamp are the props selected in the team.
After a standout Rugby Championship campaign, Ruan Nortje retains his role in the team with Eben Etzebeth, Mostert and Snyman providing further options in the second row.
Pieter-Steph du Toit will be eager to continue his fine form for the Springboks and is joined in the back-row stocks by captain Kolisi.
Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden and Jasper Wiese all starred for the Boks during the Rugby Championship and are the other loose forward options once again.
Faf de Klerk misses out as Erasmus has selected Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach and Grant Williams as the scrum-halves with Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard being the two fly-halves earning call-ups. Esterhuizen is selected along side fellow centres Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel.
Meanwhile, the status quo from the Rugby Championship remains with Willemse included in the outside back stocks along with Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi and Canan Moodie.
“We are under no illusions about the quality of the opposition we will face, and we have experienced first-hand how their home crowds lift them, much like our passionate supporters, so we know what it will take to be successful over there,” Erasmus added.
“Fortunately, we have a squad that believes in themselves and their abilities, and that will be vital as we enter these matches.
“Obviously we’ll take confidence from winning the Rugby Championship, but the reality is that’s now history, and there’s no doubt that will motivate the opposition even more to make a strong statement against us.”
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Forwards: Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese
Backs: Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Damian Willemse
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