By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named his 36-man squad to conquer Europe, which features four players who return for the first time this season.
Former Junior Springbok prop and captain Zachary Porthen has earned his first Springbok call-up, having impressed for the Stormers, and is the only uncapped player in the squad.
The squad features a blend of World Cup winners and young stars, with four players returning from injury – prop Gerhard Steenekamp, lock Jean Kleyn and wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe – while hooker Johan Grobbelaar and loose forward Ben-Jason Dixon are also back in the mix after strong domestic campaigns.
Veteran hooker Bongi Mbonambi has been dropped, although he could still feature on the tour having been named among a 10-man standby group, while Marnus van der Merwe also misses out.
Others on standby include uncapped Ulster No 8 Juarno Augustus and Vodacom Bulls back Sebastian de Klerk as well as World Cup winners Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi.
Veteran fullback Willie le Roux, who earned his 100th Test cap in July, and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk were not selected.
Among those not considered due to injury are props Frans Malherbe and Trevor Nyakane, loose forwards Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw and Jean-Luc du Preez, and fullback Aphelele Fassi.
The Springboks will face Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales on consecutive Saturdays between 1 and 29 November – starting at Wembley in London and ending at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Siya Kolisi is set to become only the ninth Springbok to reach 100 Tests during the tour. The Bok captain earned his 98th cap in the side’s Rugby Championship-clinching victory over Argentina at Twickenham earlier this month.
“We are excited about the makeup of this squad, “said Erasmus. “Most of the players have been with us throughout the season, while others are back from injury or have done the job for us in the past.
It’s also great to see a young player like Zachary, who has come through our junior structures, break into the senior setup. We’re excited to see what he can do at this level.”
Looking ahead, Erasmus acknowledged the demanding nature of the schedule.
“It’s a longer tour than usual and we’re facing top-class opposition. Ireland and France are both world-class, while Japan, Italy and Wales have all shown they can challenge anyone. It will take a massive effort, but we’re excited about the opportunity.”
Springbok squad:
Forwards – Lood de Jager, Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Jean Kleyn, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Zachary Porthen, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese.
Backs – Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams.
Standby:
Forwards – Juarno Augustus, Neethling Fouché, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Evan Roos, Vincent Tshituka.
Backs – Lukhanyo Am, Sebastian de Klerk, Makazole Mapimpi.