CONFIRMED: Rassie reveals Damian Willemse's replacement
SQUAD UPDATE: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has added another Bull to his squad following the withdrawal of utility back Damian Willemse due to a groin injury.
Cameron Hanekom earned his first call-up to the Bok squad on Sunday after being drafted into a 35-man group for the end-of-year tour.
Hanekom, a former Junior Springbok who has been in sublime form for the Bulls this year, was a member of the Springbok alignment camps earlier in the season.
Willemse suffered the injury while scoring a try for the Stormers in their 17-28 defeat against the Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch in Round Six of the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.
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The Springbok squad now includes 20 forwards and 15 backs. Willemse’s withdrawal follows that of utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels earlier this week due to an ankle injury, which resulted in the call-ups of Johan Grobbelaar (hooker) and Wilco Louw (prop).
Erasmus admitted that while the loss of Willemse was a blow, Hanekom’s call-up was well deserved after knocking on the door for the last season.
“Damian has been in great form with the Stormers since returning from injury and we feel for him after missing out on all 10 Test matches this season due to a finger injury,” said Erasmus.
“But as was the case with Wilco and Johan’s call-up, we are excited to see what Cameron brings to the team. He was in the group of players included in our alignment camps earlier in the year, so he’s familiar with some of our structures and the Springbok ethos, and we have no doubt he will grab this opportunity with both hands.”
Erasmus added: “We are comfortable with the depth and versatility we have among the backs in the squad, so we decided to include another forward to add to our loose forward stocks.”
The Springboks will depart for a training camp in Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands between England and France, on Sunday.
The group will then make the journey to Edinburgh on Sunday, November 3 for their opening Test of the tour.
The Boks will face Scotland in Edinburgh (Sunday, November 10), England in London (Saturday, November 16) and Wales in Cardiff (Saturday, November 23) on their traditional end-of-year tour.
Springbok squad for the year-end tour
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Heat), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster).
Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Verblitz), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (captain, Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (D-Rocks).
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Eagles).
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls).
