by Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has made the surprise decision to name one-cap fly-half Jordan Hendrikse to his squad to replace injured tighthead Frans Malherbe.
An ankle injury ruled Malherbe out of the Autumn Nations Series Tests against Scotland, England and Wales in November.
The two-time World Cup winner sustained the injury in the Stormers’ United Rugby Championship game against Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch last Saturday and has now been replaced by Hendrikse in Erasmus’ touring squad.
Hendrikse replaces Malherbe
Following the injuries to Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Damian Willemse, Malherbe is the third player to be withdrawn from the squad due to injury.
Erasmus opted to call up supporter Wilco Louw and hooker Johan Grobbelaar to cover for Wessels’ injury, while calling up unused striker Cameron Hanekom for supply defender Damian Willemse.
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After Malherbe’s withdrawal, Erasmus explained that they believe they have enough cover in the front row with Louw, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Ox Nche and Gerhard Steenekamp to be able to call on Hendrikse, who will join the squad on Thursday on Jersey.
“Jordan has played very well for the Sharks in the URC and is a Springbok squad, so he is familiar with our structures,” Erasmus said.
“This will also be a great opportunity for him to gain further exposure at international level and within the Springbok team itself. Since we also have good depth in the forwards, we decided to call up Jordan to create even more depth in defense.
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“He is a talented player and he is growing in his role in his union, as we can see from his late penalty goal to secure the Sharks the Carling Currie Cup title earlier this season and his recent performances in the URC so we’re excited to see what he can add to the squad.”
Erasmus added: “As the UK and South Africa are in similar time zones, it would be easy to call for another prop should there be a need during the tour.”
Hendrikse will join his brother Jaden Hendrikse in the squad and look to add to his only Test cap after making his debut in South Africa’s first game of the year against Wales at Twickenham. The fly-half, who also recently played full-back for the Sharks, has impressed off the tee in recent games in the URC and was also on Erasmus’ standby squad list for the July internationals.
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Updated Springbok squad for the Autumn Nations Series:
Forward: Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi , Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese
Backs: Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Jordan Hendrikse, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie
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