Rassie Erasmus releases 11 players as he trims to 45-man Springbok squad

Edinburgh loosehead Boan Venter has earned his first Springbok call-up as Rassie Erasmus named a revised 45-man squad on Sunday.

Venter (26) is the sole new addition to the group, brought in following injuries to a number of front-row options, including Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu, who were among six players released from the original 55-man squad after the first week of training in Johannesburg.

The former Cheetahs prop, who was part of the Junior Springbok training squad in 2017, will link up with the national side on Sunday 29 June.

Also released due to injury are centre Lukhanyo Am, utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, and No.8s Cameron Hanekom and Juarno Augustus. A further five players – Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Quan Horn, Renzo du Plessis and Ntokozo Makhaza – have also returned to their respective unions.

The bulk of the Springbok squad assembled in Johannesburg on Sunday to resume preparations for the upcoming international season. Players from the Vodacom Bulls, who lost Saturday’s URC final to Leinster, will join on Monday evening, with RG Snyman expected to report on Tuesday.

Gallagher Premiership finalists Handré Pollard and Thomas du Toit will link up with the squad on separate schedules – Pollard this Monday and Du Toit the following week, initially for three days.

“Our first week of training went well, and it offered us a chance to assess our depth and measure the level at which the players are currently, with an eye on the international season,” said Erasmus.

“We also took stock of the injuries and determined in which positions we needed cover, as well as those in which we have sufficient cover.

“There are a number of players out with long-term injuries, while others are set to return from injury in the next few weeks or months, so they will complete their rehabilitation at their clubs and franchises.

“In terms of the other players released, we feel we have good cover in those positions at this stage, but they are all on standby to join us at any time if we need to call on them.

“Boan has been consistent for Edinburgh in the Vodacom URC and the EPCR Challenge Cup, and he is familiar with the South African structures after playing for the Toyota Cheetahs and coming through our junior ranks, so we are looking forward to seeing him in action on the field.”

Forwards (26): Lood de Jager, Jean-Luc du Preez, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Vincent Tshituka, Marco van Staden, Marnus van der Merwe, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese, Jasper Wiese

Backs (19):Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams