Moerat locks in his place in Bok squad

SPRINGBOK coach Jacques Nienaber has been typically conservative in his squad selection for the November tour of the UK, adding just one uncapped player in former SA Schools and Junior Springbok captain Salmaan Moerat.

Sharks scrumhalf Grant Williams is again included after he travelled with the Boks to the Rugby Championship in Australia where he did not get to make his debut.

The Springboks will play three Test matches on the tour – against Wales in Cardiff (November 6), Scotland in Edinburgh (November 13), and England in London (November 20).

Moerat will join forces with Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert and Marvin Orie in a strong group of second rowers.

The main injury-enforced omissions are Faf de Klerk (hip flexor), Cheslin Kolbe (knee), Frans Malherbe (neck), and RG Snyman (knee).

Other players not considered for selection include Pieter-Steph du Toit and Rynhardt Elstadt, who are recovering from shoulder and ankle injury, respectively.

The squad consists of 18 forwards and 14 backs.

“This tour is going to be exciting yet challenging,” said Nienaber.

“The core group of players who played a key role in the series against the British & Irish Lions, as well as the Rugby Championship will remain together as we build consistency and continuity in our squad with an eye on the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“We had to travel to Australia with an expanded squad due to the strict Covid-19 protocols in the country, but with the easing of travel restrictions to Europe and the UK, we were able to revert to a more manageable touring squad.

“We are two years out from the Rugby World Cup in France, and we have close to 20 Test matches before we start our defence of the title, so every match will count in terms of building confidence and consistency as a group.”

On the opposition, Nienaber said: “England is in fourth place on the world rankings, and Scotland and Wales are in seventh and ninth place, respectively, and they are all top-class teams that will want to make a strong statement in front of their home crowds, so we need to get into the swing of things quickly when we assemble.”

The Springboks will depart for a oneweek training camp in France on Friday before making the journey to Cardiff for their opening Test.

BOK SQUAD: Props:

Thomas du Toit (Sharks) – 13 caps, 0 pts; Steven Kitshoff (Stormers) – 56 caps, 5pts (1t); Vincent Koch (Saracens) – 28 caps, 0 pts; Ox Nché (Sharks) – 6 caps, 0pts; Trevor Nyakane (Bulls) – 51 caps, 5pts (1t)

Hookers: Joseph Dweba (Bordeaux Bègles) – 1 cap; 0 pts; Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 43 caps, 45 pts (9t; Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers) – 45 caps, 45 pts (9t)

Locks: Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks) – 53 caps, 25 pts (5t) ; Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) – 94 caps, 15 pts (3t); Salmaan Moerat (Stormers) – Uncapped; Marvin Orie (Stormers) – 7 caps, 0 pts;

Loose forwards: Siya Kolisi (captain, Sharks) – 60 caps, 30 pts (6t);

Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Júbilo) – 16 caps, 5 pts (1t); Marco van Staden (Leicester Tigers) – 9 caps, 0 pts; Duane Vermeulen (Ulster) – 58 caps, 15 pts (3t) Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 8 caps, 0 pts

Utility forward: Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 48 caps, 5pts (1t)

Scrumhalves: Herschel Jantjies (Stormers) – 18 caps, 25 pts (5t); Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 18 caps, 40pts (8t); Grant Williams (Sharks) – Uncapped;

Flyhalves: Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes) – 41 caps, 309 pts (2t, 64c, 56p, 1d); Handré Pollard (Montpellier) – 57 caps, 558 pts (6t, 83c, 120p, 4d);

Midfielders: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks) – 23 caps, 25 pts (5t); Damian de Allende (Munster) – 55 caps, 35 pts (7t); Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 48 caps, 60 pts (12t);

Outside backs: Aphelele Fassi (Sharks) – 2 caps, 10pts (2t); Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 70 caps, 60 pts (12t); Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks) – 22 caps, 85 pts (17t); Sbu Nkosi (Sharks) – 25 caps, 45 pts (9t)

Utility backs: Damian Willemse (Stormers) – 14 caps, 5pts (1t); Frans Steyn (Cheetahs) – 71 caps, 141pts (11t, 7c, 21p, 3d)