There have been a couple of significant changes to the Springbok squad that was originally named for the tour to New Zealand, with Faf de Klerk belatedly receiving a call up, while it was also revealed that hooker Bongi Mbonambi was unable to travel with the team.
At a press conference on Monday, Rassie Erasmus took the opportunity to address these two player cases ahead of this Saturday’s Test against the All Blacks at Eden Park.
“Faf did not replace Bongi,” he said. “Morne van den Berg suffered a niggle at training, but he trained fully today, so he’s looking good. Faf was called up as a precaution. He is an experienced player and brings a lot to the team.
“In Bongi’s case, there’s an illness in his family, and he’ll join us as quickly as he can, but we have sufficient cover in that position with Malcom (Marx), Marnus (van der Merwe), and Jan-Hendrik (Wessels), who can also cover prop.”
Will Faf de Klerk feature this Saturday?
De Klerk’s inclusion in the squad increases the size of the group currently preparing for the first Test in Auckland to 36 players.
The Springboks now have four scrumhalves in the squad for just two Tests: De Klerk, Grant Williams, Cobus Reinach and Morne van den Berg.
The experience of De Klerk could be very valuable in the Eden Park cauldron, and so it would be no surprise to see him in the matchday 23.
Latest squad:
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese.
Backs: Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse.
Who do you think should start at scrumhalf?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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