Springboks keep options open as Rassie considers another player call-up

Eben Etzebeth recently joined up with the Springboks after making a speedy recovery from an injury, and the veteran lock is expected to feature in the Test against Ireland next weekend.

A spot in the squad had been opened up by an injury to young flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, who has now headed back to South Africa to undergo a scan.

As the Springboks continue to assess player injury updates, the news from South Africa is that Handre Pollard has also recovered from an injury, and he could be the next player called up to the touring squad.

“By next weekend Handre would probably be available to fly over, and Eben will definitely be available for selection,” Rassie Erasmus commented.

“Salmaan should be ready too. So if we don’t get any injuries this weekend, we’ll probably have a 37-man squad that’s fit and healthy.

“If we do get an injury in the backline, a guy like Handre might join us as well.”

Focus on France

The Springboks will consider their squad options and injuries after what is expected to be a colossal encounter against France this Friday.

It’s a rematch of the famed 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, and also the competitive clash in the Outgoing Tour match last year, in which the Springboks held a one-point lead at the break.

“Matches between us and France are always intense, and this week will be no different,” said Erasmus.

“Both teams have everything to play for, with France leading the northern hemisphere standings and the team being ranked fourth in the world, and we are in a similar situation trying to hold onto the top spots in the respective Nations Championship hemisphere tables, so this match is vital for both sides to try to advance to the final of the competition in a few weeks.

“They also always have a passionate crowd behind them that will definitely fuel their team, but we also enjoy the atmosphere at Stade de France, so neither team will give an inch.

“Our focus though is on what we want to do as a team, so it will be vital to execute our game plan accurately and make the most of the point-scoring chances we create.

“They have a good pack of forwards and dangerous backs, so we need to be at our best to get the desired result.”

The Test kicks off at 22:10 (SA time) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Team to face France in Paris

SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché.
Subs: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.