The Boks will play 4 Tests on consecutive Saturdays subsequent month – in opposition to Ireland in Dublin on 5 November, France in Marseille on 12 November, Italy in Genoa on 19 November and England in London on 26 November on the Outgoing Tour.
The SA ‘A’ crew, coached by Mzwandile Stick, will play two mid-week matches – in opposition to Munster on Thursday, 10 November, and the Bristol Bears every week later on 17 November.
ALSO READ | ELTON JANTJIES OUT, ZEENAT SIMJEE RETURNS
In a wide-ranging press convention on Tuesday, it was confirmed that Handre Pollard will miss the Boks’ end-of-year tour on account of injury, with Damian Willemse anticipated to proceed at No 10, whereas Johan Goosen will present flyhalf cowl.
Goosen, nevertheless, is ready to overlook out on some extra all-important game-time on the eve of the Boks’ overseas tour after he was dominated out of the Bulls’ United Rugby Championship match in opposition to Benetton on Friday because the consequence of a head knock
Despite the Boks missing specialist flyhalf choices, Elton Jantjies is not going to be thought of for choice, with director of rugby Rassie Erasmus confirming that the 32-year-old merely hasn’t performed sufficient rugby of late. Manie Libbok, Gianni Lombard and probably Jordan Hendrikse may all tour with the SA A crew.
In phrases of depth at flyhalf, although, extra worries have materialised for the Boks contemplating that veteran Frans Steyn – who slotted in at 10 in the course of the remaining Rugby Championship Test – can also be set to be dominated out of the end-of-year tour on account of injury.
“Frans has a bit of a bone bruise and a tear to his meniscus,” Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie revealed forward of his aspect’s Toyota Challenge derby with Griquas on Friday. “Conservatively, six weeks takes us into the end of November, which means he should be ready for our European trip if everything goes according to plan. It will be good if he joins us.”
READ | BOK COACHES TO WORK WITH LIBBOK, LOMBARD – REPORT
On Tuesday, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber did talk about the Boks’ flyhalf choices for the end-of-year tour, and defined why they had been snug of coping.
“Handre underwent an operation after the recent Leicester Tigers game,” Nienaber commented on Tuesday. “It will be tough for him to make it in time for this tour.
“Earlier this season when Handre and Elton were out, Damian stepped up nicely. He started a few games for us and then we also used Frans Steyn at flyhalf in the last game of the Rugby Championship.
“Then in our alignment camps we had Johan Goosen with us, and he was also there in preparation camps before the Wales series. He was recovering from injury, but he is now back and getting a go in the URC. So I’ve already mentioned five flyhalves, and then there are also some other players who have been performing well in the URC who we are keeping an eye on.
“So even if we have to be without Handre or Elton, we are still very comfortable with Damian, who has proven himself in the couple of Tests he played at flyhalf. Then it’s nice to have Johan who is able to fill in, and it will be good to see how he could deliver in terms of our system.”
READ | WHY BOKS ARE CONFIDENT OF COPING WITHOUT JANTJIES
PLAYERS INVITED TO BOKS’ TRAINING CAMP:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (each DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks)
Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks)
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), 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)
Utility Forwards: Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)
Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks)
Flyhalf: Johan Goosen (Vodacom Bulls)
Centres: Jesse Kriel (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)
Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Sbu Nkosi (Vodacom Bulls)
Utility Back: Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers)
