Injured star Du Toit to miss start of Springboks season
The 32-year-old flanker/lock, who plays for Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, is among six injured players who will not feature against the Barbarians, Italy (twice) and Georgia from 28 June to 19 July.
FILE: South Africa's Pieter-Steph Du Toit scores a try during the Autumn Nations Series International Rugby Union match between England and South Africa at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in south-west London, on 16 November 2024. Picture: Adrian Dennis/AFP
JOHANNESBURG - Injured World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit was released on Sunday from the South Africa squad preparing for their first four matches of the season, a SA Rugby statement said.
The 32-year-old flanker/lock, who plays for Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, is among six injured players who will not feature against the Barbarians, Italy (twice) and Georgia from 28 June to 19 July.
Props Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu, number 8s Juarno Augustus and Cameron Hanekom and centre Lukhanyo Am have also been released due to injuries.
Augustus, who joins Ulster next season after helping Northampton Saints reach the Champions Cup final, will be particularly disappointed as he had received his first call-up from the record four-time Rugby World Cup winners.
The statement did not specify what injuries the players have, nor did it indicate when they might be available for selection, with South Africa set to play 14 matches this year.
Coach Rassie Erasmus has reduced his squad from 55 to 45 ahead of the first outing, a non-cap exhibition match against the Barbarians in Cape Town on 28 June.
Apart from the six injured players, the Hendrikse brothers, fly-half Jordan and scrum-half Jaden, flanker Renzo du Plessis, full-back Quan Horn and wing/full-back Ntokozo Makhaza have been omitted.
Makhaza, a 23-year-old university student based in Cape Town, was a surprise inclusion in the original squad as he has never played at senior level.
Erasmus has added one player, uncapped prop Boan Venter, who joined Edinburgh from Bloemfontein franchise the Cheetahs.
"Boan has been consistent for Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup," said Erasmus, coach of the 2019 World Cup-winning team and director of rugby when the Springboks triumphed in France four years later.
"He is familiar with the South African structures after playing for the Cheetahs and coming through our junior ranks, so we are looking forward to seeing him in action."
After the Barbarians match, South Africa meet Italy in Pretoria on 5 July and in Gqeberha on 12 July, then Georgia in Mbombela on 19 July.
The Springboks play two Rugby Championship Tests each against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina between August and October.
Tour matches against France, Italy, Ireland and Wales in November complete their schedule. However, there could be additional fixtures as Erasmus has said he would like to play two extra Tests this year.
Revised squad
Forwards: 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: 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, Edwilll van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams