For the Springboks, it’s one in, and another out as Ruben van Heerden has been called up to the squad and will join the team in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.
The 28-year-old former Junior Springbok lock, who has been a central figure in the Stormers pack in the United Rugby Championship this season, will replace Salmaan Moerat, who has been released from camp due to injury.
The Springboks are deep into their preparations for their season opener against the Barbarians next Saturday, which will be preceded by a clash between the SA ‘A’ team and Zimbabwe at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on 20 June.
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Springboks keeping options open
Van Heerden earned his 50th cap for the Stormers this season, while he also represented the Bulls, Sharks, and Exeter Chiefs earlier in his career.
Phepsi Buthelezi and Carlu Sadie, who were called up to the squad on Monday, meanwhile, have already reported for duty.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick, who will steer the SA ‘A’ team, will name their matchday squads for the respective clashes next week.
UPDATED SQUAD
Forwards: Phepsi Buthelezi (Sharks), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Paul de Villiers (Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Verblitz), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Bathobele Hlekani (Lions), Hanro Jacobs (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), JJ Kotze (Stormers), Danie Kruger (Stormers), Sibabalwa Mahashe (Lions), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Riley Norton (Stormers), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Oliver Reid (Stormers), Evan Roos (Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Bègles), Emmanuel Tshituka (Sharks), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Sharks), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers), Lukhanyo Am (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Luan Giliomee (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Jurenzo Julius (Sharks), Imad Khan (Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Eagles), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Markus Muller (Stormers), Haashim Pead (Lions), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks), Nico Steyn (Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks), Jaco Williams (Sharks).
