Springboks release 5 players and call up 2 ahead of final Test

The Springboks have called up two players ahead of their final Rugby Championship match against Argentina at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

Sbu Nkosi and Kurt-Lee Arendse have been recalled to the Springbok squad, while four players were released to their clubs to rack up game time as the competition reaches a conclusion.

Nkosi will return for the first time this year after recovering from an ankle injury, while Arendse has served his suspension for a dangerous tackle in the match against All Blacks in Nelspruit in August.

Elrigh Louw, Joseph Dweba, Warrick Gelant and Salmaan Moerat have all been released to their respective clubs to allow them to get “valuable game time” as the Boks look ahead to their end-of-year tour of Europe.

Worryingly, flyhalf Damian Willemse sustained a concussion in Saturday’s 36-20 victory against Argentina in Buenos Aires and will also return to his club. This leaves their 10 stocks particularly low, with Elton Jantjies already sent back to SA to face off-field allegations and Handre Pollard injured.

“We have been pretty unlucky on wing in the last few months in terms of injuries, which has forced our hand at giving players such as Kurt-Lee and Canan (Moodie) a chance at international level, and we are pleased with the depth we are now building as we get closer toward the Rugby World Cup next year,” said head coach Jacques Nienaber.

“Kurt-Lee had a great debut and played very well against the All Blacks, but he was unfortunately banned, and we are delighted to have him back as he’s a very talented player.

“Sbu has been in our system for several years now and he has recovered from injury, so we are excited to welcome him back. He has shown his class in several big matches, and he brings experience, so he will undoubtedly add great value to the squad.

“This also allows us an opportunity to take stock of the depth we have at wing as we are now a year out from the Rugby World Cup in France.”

Nienaber also had a word for the players that have been released to their clubs.

“This year alone we have given close to 50 players an opportunity to play, so we have certainly ticked the box of creating squad depth, which is one of our key pillars for the team. We are, however, going into our last match of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and we think it would be more beneficial for these players to return to their clubs and provinces to gain valuable game time.

“We have a long and challenging year-end tour ahead, which will involve an expanded squad, and we need the players to be match fit so we can hit the ground running when depart for the tour.”

The match-day squad for the final Test against Argentina will be announced on Tuesday.