BOAN ARROW

SPRINGBOK coach Rassie Erasmus has sprung a bit of a surprise after calling up former Cheetahs prop Boan Venter as a replacement in an injury-riddled national squad.

The Bok boss last week announced his training squad for the upcoming Test season, which kicks off with a June 28 friendly against the Barbarians in Cape Town, has a vrag beserings.

And two of those injuries are at prop with Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls) and Ntutuko Mchunu (Sharks) ruled out, forcing Erasmus to look outside the group, calling up the Edinburgh club front-rower as cover.

Although Venter’s only claim to national fame is being selected for a 2017 Junior Springbok training squad, he has impressed Erasmus during the recently completed 2024/25 United Rugby Championship and European Challenge Cup season.

Of the prop, who will only join the Boks on 29 June, and his inclusion, Erasmus wyses: “Boan has been consistent for Edinburgh… and 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 on the field.”

Erasmus has trimmed his Bok squad down from 55 to 45 players after releasing 10 players, of which six [including Mchunu and Steenekamp] are injured, for the start of their second week of preparations.

The other injured players released are Lukhanyo Am (centre), Pieter-Steph du Toit (utility forward), Cameron Hanekom, and Juarno Augustus (both No 8s).

Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), Jordan Hendrikse (flyhalf), Quan Horn (fullback), Renzo du Plessis (flanker), and Ntokozo Makhaza (utility back) were released back to their unions.

SPRINGBOK 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.