Fresh from a 53-year first in Australia, South Africa have beefed up their squad with several World Cup winners for the two Rugby Championship home Tests against old foes New Zealand.
The Springboks have recalled lock Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg to boost their second row options.
Prop Steven Kitshoff, No.8 Jasper Wiese, halfback Jaden Hendrikse, centre Andre Esterhuizen and utility back Canan Moodie all return from injury or suspension to bolster the side that beat the Wallabies in back-to-back Tests in Australia this month – the first time the Springboks have achieved that across the Indian Ocean since 1971.
Janse van Rensburg’s only previous Test was against Argentina in 2021, but the Montpellier second row gets his chance with Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager and Jean Kleyn all sidelined through injury.
“It’s good to have Steven, Jaden and Canan back from injury, along with Jasper and Andre (who were suspended),” coach Rassie Erasmus said.
“They are all Rugby World Cup winners, who have delivered quality performances consistently against the top teams in the world, so they’ll bring experience and their unique skillsets to this squad.
“All these players, with the exception of Nicolaas, were members of our training squad in Pretoria in July and our alignment camps earlier in the year.
“They’ve have been regular members of the squad in the last few years, so they understand our systems and should slot in with ease.”
The Springboks’ mighty forward pack have welcomed back Steven Kitshoff (2nd left) into the front-row. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Erasmus confirmed lock RG Snyman, who was part of the squad but missed the two tests against Australia, should be fit to face New Zealand in the first test in Johannesburg on August 31. The second game is in Cape Town a week later.
Esterhuizen, meanwhile, gives the Springboks another compelling option in the midfield after the 30-year-old was shown a red card after just two minutes into their thumping of Portugal.
The Springboks lead the Rugby Championship table following their bonus points wins against Australia, five points ahead of New Zealand.
SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD:
Forwards: Thomas du Toit, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels; Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi; Eben Etzebeth, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg; Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese
Backs: Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 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.
AAP with staff writers
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/Gl5cSg9 beef up squad with several World Cup winners recalled for home TRC Tests against All Blacks
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