As the Springboks unveiled a strong team to face the Barbarians in Cape Town this Saturday, there was also some other key information shared that is certainly noteworthy ahead of the Test season that gets under way in July.
Just over a week ago, star loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit had been released from the camp due to an injury concern, and initial fears were that he could potentially miss the start of the Springboks’ international season.
However, Du Toit has made a quick recovery, and it was confirmed that he has rejoined the team to prepare for the first two Tests of the year against Italy.
Another notable inclusion in the team to face the Barbarians was Lood de Jager, who will partner up with Jean Kleyn in the engine room. The experienced lock is back for his first Test since the Springboks’ 2023 Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks in New Zealand, which was his only Test in the last two seasons following a string of injuries.
Springboks working with a powerful squad
Erasmus was pleased to welcome De Jager back after an extended stint on the sidelines: “Lood is in great form and hopped straight back into the thick of things with the intensity and work rate that we are used to seeing him deliver, and we are thrilled to see him and players like Faf (de Klerk) and Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu) who missed a large chunk of last season back from injury.”
Meanwhile, players from the Bulls, as well as RG Snyman (lock), and Handre Pollard (flyhalf), only joined the squad last week following their involvement in the United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership finals.
With the Barbarians being a composite team, no Test caps will be awarded for the match. The match kicks off at 17:10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
The clash against the Barbarians will be followed by two Tests against Italy (on 5 and 12 July) in Pretoria and Gqeberha respectively, and Georgia in Nelspruit on 19 July in the Incoming Series.
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