Brilliant Brits back in the Bok mix

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has shown his willingness to do the unconventional in enticing Schalk Brits to put his retirement off for one more year to be part of the Springboks squad.

Brits, a superstar for English champions Saracens over the last decade, has been influential in the mentoring of England first choice hooker Jamie George. The two are now expected to meet in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

South Africa’s first Test win against England at Ellis Park showed the value of experience and Erasmus has enticed Brits to add to his 10 Test caps. It is a decision that would also have gained traction with Malcolm Marx out injured and Bismarck du Plessis unavailable for the English series.

Brits is expected to be named among the substitutes as South Africa go in search of a second successive victory that would secure the series.

Stephen Jones on Schalk Brits

Brits, 37, announced his retirement after Saracens’s English Premiership win at Twickenham against Exeter Chiefs.

Raving about Schalk Brits