Rassie Erasmus has called up Stormers flyhalf Damian Willemse and four other uncapped players for a Springbok training camp in Stellenbosch.
The four other uncapped players are Willemse’s Stormers teammates JD Schickerling, Salmaan Moerat and Cobus Wiese, as well as Marco van Staden from the Bulls.
The Springbok management is using the camp as preparation for the Rugby Championship, which starts next month. Players from the Sharks and Lions will join the Bok camp once they’ve completed their Super Rugby commitments.
Also included in the training squad are Eben Etzebeth (lock), Coenie Oosthuizen (prop) and Trevor Nyakane (prop), all of whom missed the June internationals due to injury.
Erasmus said that the camp is an important part of the team’s preparation and thanked the franchises for allowing their players to attend.
‘We’re very pleased that several players got the opportunity to gain Test experience during the June internationals and we are now looking forward to working with more of our most promising players, such as Damian, Salmaan, Marco, JD and Cobus,’ said the Bok coach.
‘It’s also good to have Eben and Coenie back with us after they’ve spent a considerable amount of time out of action because of injury. Once fit and available again, they will add considerable experience to the squad
Springbok training squad – Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff , Siya Kolisi , Wilco Louw , Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Trevor Nyakane , Coenie Oosthuizen, JD Schickerling, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Cobus Wiese, Damian de Allende, Warrick Gelant, Jesse Kriel, Embrose Papier, Handré Pollard, Ivan van Zyl, Damian Willemse.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
