Flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse has been called up to the Springbok squad for the November tour after prop Frans Malherbe was forced to remain in South Africa due to injury.
Two-time world champion Malherbe hurt his ankle in the DHL Stormers’ Vodacom URC clash against the Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch last week.
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 Bok coach Rassie Erasmus’ standby squad for the July incoming series. The Sharks playmaker will join the squad in Jersey on Thursday.
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 fellow front-rankers Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Ox Nche and Gerhard Steenekamp in the squad.
Earlier, hooker Johan Grobbelaar and loose forward Cameron Hanekom 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.
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“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.”
“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,” Erasmus added.
The Boks 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 world champions will face Scotland in Edinburgh (Sunday, 10 November), England in London (Saturday, 16 November) and Wales in Cardiff (Saturday, 23 November) on their traditional end-of-year tour.
Updated Springbok squad:
Props: Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp.
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi.
Locks: Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman.
Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi (captain), Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese.
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams.
Flyhalves: Jordan Hendrikse, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard.
Centres: Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel.
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
