Ntlabakanye called up to Springbok squad as Nche returns home injured

THE SPRINGBOKS have made a key squad change following their emphatic 61-7 win over Japan at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has been called up to the national squad as a replacement for Ox Nche, who sustained an injury early in the match.

Nche was forced to leave the field in the 18th minute and has since returned to South Africa, where he will undergo medical scans to determine the severity of the injury.

“We feel for Ox, and we wish him all the best with his injury and recovery,” said Springbok Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus. “It’s always tough to lose a player of his calibre, but Asenathi is a capped Springbok, and he has been with us for a large part of the season, so he is familiar with our structures and systems.”

Erasmus added that Ntlabakanye’s call-up was straightforward, as the prop was already in London after representing the Barbarians against the All Blacks XV at Twickenham on Saturday. “Fortunately, he was in London already, so he arrived at the team hotel this morning and will be able to slot back into action immediately, which is fantastic for us,” Erasmus said.

Ntlabakanye made his Test debut in July during the Castle Lager Incoming Series against Italy, having first featured for the Boks in their clash with the Barbarians earlier this year. On Saturday, he made an impact for the Barbarians once again, crossing the try line in just the second minute of their 33-19 defeat to the All Blacks XV.

The Springboks departed for France on Sunday afternoon and will begin preparations for their next clash at Stade de France on Monday.