Springbok end of year tour squad announced, sees three new faces

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named his touring squad for the Springboks’ upcoming November Internationals, with three uncapped players included.

The end of year tour has seen recalls for seemingly forgotten Gio Aplon and Louis Schreuder, while there are also three new players added to the squad.

The three fresh faces include Seargel Peterson (wing), JD Shickerling (lock) and Springbok Sevens’ Ruhan Nel (centre).

In speaking of his selections and the upcoming tour, Erasmus said:

“This tour to the northern hemisphere will be another tough test of our team’s character and we are looking forward to the exciting challenges against England, France, Scotland and Wales.”

“It is always good to welcome new players to the Springbok environment and I’m excited to work with Sergeal and JD – I am sure they will bring a lot of energy into the group.

“Gio has a lot of experience of playing in the challenging European conditions from his club rugby stint in France, while Louis has been impressive in the Currie Cup and also brings a lot of experience.

“And we all know the value experienced players such as Lood, Trevor, and Duane will bring to the squad.”

Springbok Touring Squad (position, province, test caps, test points) – via Sport24

Forwards:
Schalk Brits (Hooker, Unattached, 11, 5 – 1t)
Lood de Jager (Lock, Blue Bulls, 36, 20 – 4t)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Loose forward / Lock, Western Province, 42, 20 – 4t)
Thomas du Toit (Prop, Sharks, 5, 0)
Eben Etzebeth (Lock, Western Province, 73, 15 – 3t)
Steven Kitshoff (Prop, Western Province, 33, 5 – 1t)
Vincent Koch (Prop, Saracens, England, 10, 0)
Siya Kolisi (captain – Loose forward, Western Province, 37, 25 – 5t)
Francois Louw (Loose forward, Bath, England, 62, 45, – 9t)
Wilco Louw (Prop, Western Province, 11, 0)
Frans Malherbe (Prop, Western Province, 25, 0)
Malcolm Marx (Hooker, Golden Lions, 20, 20 – 4t)
Bongi Mbonambi (Hooker, Western Province, 22, 10 – 2t)
Franco Mostert (Lock, Golden Lions, 26, 5 – 1t)
Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Loose forward, Western Province, 6, 0)
Trevor Nyakane (Prop, Blue Bulls, 37, 5 – 1t)
JD Schickerling (Lock, Western Province, uncapped)
RG Snyman (Lock, Honda Heat, Japan, 8, 0)
Duane Vermeulen (Loose forward, Kubota Spears, Japan, 42, 15 – 3t)
Warren Whiteley (Loose forward, Golden Lions, 21, 15 – 3t)

Backs:
Gio Aplon (Wing / Fullback, Toyota Verblitz, Japan, 17, 25 – 5t)
Damian de Allende (Centre, Western Province, 33, 20 – 4t)
Aphiwe Dyantyi (Wing, Golden Lions, 9, 30 – 6t)
André Esterhuizen (Centre, Munakata Sanix Blues, Japan, 5, 0)
Elton Jantjies (Flyhalf, Golden Lions, 29, 223 – 2t, 42c, 43p)
Cheslin Kolbe (Wing / Fullback, Toulouse, France, 4, 10 – 2t)
Jesse Kriel (Centre, Blue Bulls, 36, 50 – 10t)
Wille le Roux (Fullback, Wasps, England, 50, 60 – 12t)
Ruhan Nel (Centre, Western province, upcapped)
Sbu Nkosi (Wing, Sharks, 3, 10 – 2t)
Embrose Papier (Scrumhalf, Blue Bulls, 4, 0)
Sergeal Petersen (Wing, Western Province, uncapped)
Handré Pollard (Flyhalf, Blue Bulls, 35, 293 – 3t, 55c, 53p, 3d)
Louis Schreuder (Scrumhalf, Sharks, 1, 0)
Ivan van Zyl (Scrumhalf, Blue Bulls, 3, 0)
Damian Willemse (Flyhalf / Fullback, Western Province, 3, 0)