Lewies answers Bok SOS
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Sharks rookie Stephan Lewies has been called up to the Springbok team ahead of South Africa's final June Test.
Lewies will provide lock cover when the Boks take on Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The Sharks' youngster comes in for injured Bulls' captain Flip van der Merwe who hyper-extended his knee in the dying minutes of the Nelspruit Test against Wales on the weekend.
Van der Merwe is joined by Tendai Mtawarira in sitting out of the upcoming Test against Scotland this weekend.
Mtawarira is suffering from cervical disc issue and will have to see a specialist in Durban.
Fellow Sharks prop, Lourens Adriaanse, also joins the squad to provide cover in the front row.
"Tendai has a bulging disc in his neck and he will consult with a specialist in Durban as soon as possible,” said Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts.
“Flip hyper-extended his knee in a tackle and scans confirmed our clinical suspicions of a posterior cruciate injury. He will consult a knee specialist in Pretoria."
Another injury concern is versatile forward Willem Alberts who is suffering from a concusion after failing a sideline concussion test in the Springboks' 31-30 victory over Wales.
“We take concussion very seriously and have a set return-to-play protocol that Willem needs to progress through.
"A final call on his availability will be made later in the week,” explained Roberts.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said that Adriaanse and Lewies were the next players on the standby list.
“Lourens has been with us before and I’m sure he will slot back in easily,” said Meyer of Adriaanse, who made his Test debut last November against France in Paris.
“Stephan was part of our training squad in Durban at the end of last month.
"He arrived in Port Elizabeth earlier today and looked good at our afternoon training session.
"He has been very good in Super Rugby this year and deserves this opportunity.”
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