This week the Boks unveiled a 34-man squad for the Australian leg of the Rugby Championship, with uncapped Canan Moodie incomes a call-up for his first tour in a settled nationwide squad.
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Moodie, who was known as up to the squad as utility again cowl following the suspension handed to wing Kurt-Lee Arendse for a harmful deal with, will journey with the Springboks for the primary time, offering cowl at wing and fullback.
His presence additionally fills the void left by Cheslin Kolbe, who’s on the highway to restoration from a damaged jaw, which can see him solely return for the final Test against Argentina.
Jesse Kriel will even have to see out a interval of relaxation and recuperation after struggling a concussion, and so the Boks will want to make one other huge name on the correct wing when it comes to their subsequent Tests.
With Kolbe injured and Arendse seeing out a suspension, Warrick Gelant could also be backed on the wing, or younger Moodie may very well be one other thrilling choice.
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Interestingly, coach Jacques Nienaber ‘name-dropped’ Moodie as a attainable like-for-like substitute, and it may very well be an attractive alternative for the Boks to again Moodie against both Australia or Argentina.
“We are also excited to see how Canan slots in during the next few weeks and to see how he adapts to our structures and systems, and we believe he has the skills to slot in for Kurt-Lee and Cheslin,” the Bok coach commented.
Notably, the Boks have additionally backed one-cap Deon Fourie to present cowl at hooker, with Malcolm Marx and Joseph Dweba the opposite frontline choices.
Fourie may supply an outstanding utility choice on the bench whereas the Boks are on tour contemplating he may also play capably within the free trio.
Meanwhile, Bulls coach Jake White has reiterated his perception that Canan Moodie will play ‘100 Tests’ for South Africa.
“Canan is likely one of the greatest gamers I’ve ever coached. He’s solely 19 however he’s far more mature than that. He’s obtained all the things. He’s truly a centre and that’s the irony of the entire thing. He’s enjoying wing and fullback however he’s truly a 13. Many nice gamers reminiscent of Ma’a Nonu and Jaque Fourie began as wings and fullbacks and ended up being nice centres.
“He’s going to make it … he’s going to play 100 Tests for South Africa.”
Notably, Stormers star Evan Roos has not been included within the touring group, whereas Cobus Reinach has recovered from harm and can add another choice at scrumhalf.
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BOKS TOURING SQUAD:
Props
Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers)
Vincent Koch (Wasps)
Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers)
Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks)
Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92)
Hookers
Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers)
Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)
Locks
Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks)
Lood de Jager (Wild Knights)
Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers)
Loose forwards
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz)
Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks)
Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls)
Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)
Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)
Duane Vermeulen (Ulster)
Utility forwards
Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers)
Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)
Scrumhalves
Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles)
Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks)
Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers)
Cobus Reinach (Montpellier)
Flyhalves
Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes)
Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
Midfielders
Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks)
Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)
Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins)
Outside backs
Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks)
Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz)
Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls)
Warrick Gelant (Racing 92)
Utility Backs
Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers)
Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)
Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs)