Damian Willemse is among the four fit-again Springboks recalled to an experienced Outgoing Tour squad in November that features no new caps.
Four World Cup winners, Willemse (utility back), Andre Esterhuizen (centre), RG Snyman and Franco Mostert (both locks), will make a welcome return to the Springbok squad after missing the recent Rugby Championship due to injury.
Rassie Erasmus named a 34-man squad for their UK tour on Tuesday. The Boks 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.
Esterhuizen has recovered from a shoulder injury, while Snyman returns following a foot injury, Mostert is back from a broken leg, and Willemse from a finger injury, and all four players will add valuable experience and skill to the squad.
Willemse’s return marks his first time back in the Springbok squad this year after missing all 10 Tests thus far in 2024 due to injury.
The squad – which will be led by Siya Kolisi, a key figure along with most of the squad members in the team’s triumphant Rugby Championship campaign – will depart for a training camp in Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands between England and France, on Sunday 27 October. The group will then make the journey to Edinburgh on Sunday 3 November for their opening Test of the tour.
The players ruled out due to injury are Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Salmaan Moerat (both knee injuries), Steven Kitshoff (neck) and Lood de Jager (shoulder). Erasmus’ squad includes 18 forwards and 16 backs.
Springbok squad for the Outgoing Tour:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls).
Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster).
Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (captain, Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
Photo: Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images
The post Willemse gets Bok recall appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
