Rassie springs playmaker surprise with latest squad update
SQUAD UPDATE: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has added another playmaker to his squad ahead of the November Tests.
Jordan Hendrikse has been called up to replace Frans Malherbe in the squad after the experienced prop was forced to remain in South Africa on Sunday due to an ankle injury.
Malherbe suffered the injury in the Stormers’ United Rugby Championship clash against the Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch last Saturday.
Hendrikse – the brother of scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse – started his first and only Test against Wales in London in June in the Boks’ opening match of the season, while he was also named in Erasmus’ standby squad for the July Tests.
The Sharks flyhalf will join the squad in Jersey on Thursday.
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Erasmus explained the decision to replace Malherbe with a backline player, saying there was enough depth among the props at this stage in the group following the call-up of Wilco Louw, who has joined Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Ox Nche and Gerhard Steenekamp in the squad.
Earlier, Johan Grobbelaar (hooker) and Cameron Hanekom (loose forward) were also called up after the withdrawal of Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Damian Willemse, who were ruled out with ankle and groin injuries respectively.
“Jordan has been playing very well for the Sharks in the URC and he’s a capped Springbok, so he is familiar with our structures,” said Erasmus.
“This will also serve as a great opportunity for him to get further exposure at international level and in the Springbok set-up itself. We also have good depth among the forwards, so we opted to call up Jordan to add further depth among the backs.
“He’s a talented player, and he’s been growing in the role at his union as we saw with his late penalty goal to earn the Sharks the Currie Cup title earlier this season, and through his recent performances in the URC, so we are excited to see what he can add to the squad.”
Erasmus added: “With the UK and South Africa being in similar time zones it would be simple to call up another prop should the need arise during the tour.”
The Springboks started their on-field preparations for the tour in Jersey on Tuesday after having a recovery day on Monday following the trip to the island via London on Sunday.
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), 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: Jordan Hendrikse (Sharks), 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).
