Edinburgh prop Boan Venter has earned his first Springbok call-up as coach Rassie Erasmus finalised a 45-player squad for the upcoming international season.
The former Toyota Cheetahs forward becomes the only new addition after Erasmus reduced his initial 55-man group following the team’s first training week in Johannesburg.
Six players were released due to injuries, including props Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu, centre Lukhanyo Am, utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, and No 8s Cameron Hanekom and Juarno Augustus.
Another five players have been released to their unions but remain on standby, including scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse and flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse.
Squad Preparation
Most players will reassemble in Johannesburg on Sunday, with Vodacom Bulls players joining Monday evening after Saturday’s URC Grand Final against Leinster. RG Snyman arrives Tuesday, while Gallagher Premiership finalists Handre Pollard and Thomas du Toit will report at different times.
Venter, who was part of the Junior Springbok training group in 2017, will join the squad on 29 June.
“Boan has been consistent for Edinburgh in the URC and Challenge Cup,” said Erasmus. “He’s familiar with South African structures after playing for the Cheetahs and coming through our junior ranks.”
Upcoming Fixtures
The Springboks open their season against the Barbarians in Cape Town on 28 June – the first meeting between the sides on South African soil. This precedes the Castle Lager Incoming Series with back-to-back Tests against Italy in Pretoria (5 July) and Gqeberha (12 July), followed by Georgia in Nelspruit (19 July).
Springbok squad:
Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Emirates Lions), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
