Back row men Uzair Cassiem and Oupa Mohojé are joined by wing Raymond Rhule and centre Francois Venter in the 34-strong party, which will play Tests against Ireland, France, Italy and Wales. Rhule and Venter have been recalled to the squad for the tour, while Cassiem has recovered from the hip injury that kept him out of the last round of the Rugby Championship.
Bath flanker Francois Louw is also included in the squad, but he and the Japanese-based players, lock Franco Mostert and outside half Elton Jantjies won’t be available to play for Wales as this the game falls outside the international window.
Springboks head coach Allister Coetzee has picked four uncapped players, Warrick Gelant, Lukhanyo Am, Dan du Preez and Louis Schreuder, in his party, which will be led by lock Eben Etzebeth in the continued absence of the injured Warren Whiteley.
Experienced prop Coenie Oosthuizen has been recalled to the squad having successfully completed his rehabilitation from an arm injury, which meant he missed the Springboks’ recent home Tests against Australia and New Zealand, and ‘The Beast’ is back. Tendai Mtawarira missed the game against the All Blacks in Cape Town because of family reasons, but is available to add to his 95 cap tally on tour.
“This squad reflects consistency and continuity, while we also rewarded players who have constantly shown good form this season,” explained Coetzee.
“Warrick and Lukhanyo are two examples of players who have excelled in the season so far. It’s great to have them in the squad and I look forward to working with them.
“With the World Cup now less than two years away, this demanding tour gives us another very good opportunity to keep on building depth and experience. Eight new players were capped so far this season and a total of 19 new international players made their Springbok debuts since the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and we’ve also had a number of new Springbok captains since then.
“Our process to rebuild the Bok team, and steadily working towards the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, is continuing at a good and satisfying pace. So far this season, this group has shown a genuine willingness to evolve and they continuously strive to be better players within our environment.
“Ireland, France, Italy and Wales will each be a huge contest, however, we are looking forward to the challenge in different conditions.”
Flanker Jean-Luc du Preez, who sustained an ankle injury sustained in the Currie Cup final on Saturday, will undergo an MRI scan on Monday and his inclusion in the squad is subject to the results of the scan. Missing from the tour will be centre Jan Serfontein, who asked not to be considered in order to settle in at new French club Montpellier.
Siya Kolisi will return to Cape Town after the Test against France in Paris on 18 November as his wife, Rachel, is due to give birth the following week. He will not be available for the Test against Italy on 25 November in Padova, but will re-join the group for the final tour match in Cardiff against Wales.
The Springbok Tour Party
Forwards
Hookers
Malcolm Marx (Golden Lions) 11 caps /15 pts (3T)
Bongi Mbonambi (Western Province) 11 caps
Chiliboy Ralepelle (Sharks) 22 caps / 5 pts (1T)
Props
Ruan Dreyer (Golden Lions) 4 caps / 5 pts (1T)
Steven Kitshoff (Western Province) 19 caps
Wilco Louw (Western Province) 1 cap
Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks) 95 caps / 10 pts (2T)
Trevor Nyakane (Blue Bulls) 34 caps / 5 pts (1T)
Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks) 29 caps / 20 pts (4T)
Locks
Lood de Jager (lock, Blue Bulls) 32 caps / 20 pts (4T)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Western Province) 29 caps / 20 pts (4T)
Eben Etzebeth (Western Province) 63 caps / 15 points (3T)
Franco Mostert (Lions/Ricoh Black Rams) 15 caps
Back Row
Uzair Cassiem (Cheetahs) 6 caps / 5 pts (1T)
Dan du Preez (Sharks) Uncapped
Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks) 10 caps / 10 pts (2T)
Siya Kolisi (Western Province) 25 caps / 20 pts (4T)
Francois Louw (Bath) 54 caps / 40 pts (8T)
Oupa Mohojé (Cheetahs) 17 caps
Backs
Scrum Halves
Ross Cronjé (Golden Lions) 6 caps / 10 pts (2T)
Rudy Paige (Blue Bulls) 11 caps / 5 pts (1T)
Louis Schreuder (Sharks) Uncapped
Outside Halves
Curwin Bosch (Sharks) 1 cap
Elton Jantjies (Lions/NTT Shining Arcs) 20 caps / 198 pts (2T, 37C, 38P)
Handré Pollard (lue Bulls) 22 caps / 190 pts (2T, 30C, 37P, 3DG)
Centres
Lukhanyo Am (Sharks) Uncapped
Damian de Allende (Western Province) 27 caps / 15 pts (3T)
Jesse Kriel (Blue Bulls) 25 caps / 30 pts (6T)
Francois Venter (Cheetahs) 3 caps
Back Three
Andries Coetzee (Golden Lions) 9 caps
Warrick Gelant (Blue Bulls) Uncapped
Dillyn Leyds (Western Province) 5 caps
Raymond Rhule (Cheetahs) 7 caps / 5 pts (1T)
Courtnall Skosan (Golden Lions) 9 caps / 10 pts (2T)
