Springboks announce travelling squad for New Zealand clash
Springboks' flyhalf Manie Libbok celebrates with RG Snyman and Kurt Lee Arendse
Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber has announced his squad to travel to New Zealand for the Rugby Championship round two clash with the All Blacks.
Twenty-one players have been named to join their teammates that arrived in New Zealand earlier in the week, bringing the total number of players to 35.
Departing to New Zealand
Duane Vermeulen, who captained the Springboks to an emphatic 43-12 victory over the Wallabies, is included in the group along with hat-trick hero Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Marco van Staden, Jean Kleyn and Manie Libbok all earned their first starts for South Africa against Australia and could feature against the All Blacks, too, after being included.
The initial group of 14 players who travelled to New Zealand on Tuesday included injured captain Siya Kolisi, lock Eben Etzebeth, hooker Malcolm Marx, winger Cheslin Kolbe and uncapped loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp who was called in as an injury replacement for Ox Nche.
Marvin Orie, Joseph Dweba, Evan Roos and Canan Moodie all featured against Australia but have not been included in the group that will leave for New Zealand on Sunday.
“It was always part of our planning that some of the players who ran out in the Test against Australia would travel to New Zealand, and given some impressive performances today, we decided to take a few more players than we originally planned for,” SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said.
“We now have the luxury of having a bunch of fresh of players to work with in New Zealand from Monday, and they’ll be joined by a group who have experienced the physicality of Australia and who can add energy and momentum at training from Tuesday.
“We’ll analyse the match on our journey to New Zealand and then announce our team to face the All Blacks on Tuesday.”
Elton Jantjies has not been included in the travelling squad, but scrum-half Herschel Jantjies and prop Trevor Nyakane, who didn’t play against the Wallabies, have been included.
Springboks squad for New Zealand clash
Forwards: Thomas du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen.
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Andre Esterhuizen, Herschel Jantjies, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok,Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams.
Players who have already arrived in New Zealand: Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Jean-Luc du Preez, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Siya Kolisi.