CAPE TOWN, May (ANA) - Coach Rassie Erasmus on Saturday announced 17 uncapped players in a 43-man Springbok squad to face Wales and England in four Tests next month.
Erasmus said he is excited to get the squad together on the training field for the first time on Monday: "We know Wales and England will be very thorough in their analysis and overall preparation and we have to be ready for them.
"The players know what we expect of them, and that they will have to work very hard in a short space of time to be ready for the Tests against Wales and England.
Erasmus said several players impressed with consistently good performances during the past few months: "It’s good to see how our exciting young players have grabbed their opportunities for their franchises in the last couple of months.
"We also know how important Test experience is, so we thought long and hard about which players to pull in form abroad, and in the end, we only settled on five who we thought consistently performed well for their clubs in the tough English and French competitions."
Springbok squad:Forwards: Bismarck du Plessis, Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Jason Jenkins, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Oupa Mohoje, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Ox Nche, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Trevor Nyakane, Marvin Orie, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Akker van der Merwe, Duane Vermeulen, Nizaam Carr.
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Curwin Bosch, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Robert du Preez, Aphiwe Dyantyi, André Esterhuizen, Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi, Embrose Papier, Handré Pollard, Frans Steyn, Ivan van Zyl, Cameron Wright.
- African News Agency (ANA)
