Springbok coach Rassie to release 15 players ahead of tour finale against Wales
SPRINGBOKS' YEAR-END TOUR
Springbok centre Jesse Kriel is expected not to be available for this weekend's Test against Wales in Cardiff. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Rassie Erasmus will cobble together a vastly changed Springbok team for Saturday’s tour finale against Wales after confirming that 15 players will, in fact, return to their clubs in Japan and South Africa.
Before the 33-man squad left South Africa for the five-match tour, Erasmus said he would have all of his players available for the Wales game, which falls outside the international window, but he has since had a change of heart. On a case-by-case basis, he is freeing up players to return to Japan and to the United Rugby Championship, which resumes this week.
The coach said he would have around 25 players available for the game in Cardiff.
The starting props in Dublin, Thomas du Toit and Boan Venter, are certain to return to Bath and Edinburgh, respectively, and RG Snyman will go back to Leinster.
“We are going to lose quite a few players,” Erasmus said, after the victory in Dublin.
“Grant (Williams) is going back to the Sharks; he must play there. We have spoken to our URC friends back in South Africa, and some players need to go back to their provinces, so we will train next week with only 25 players in the group.
“We will assess the injuries and then make some calls. There are quite a few guys who must also go back to Japan. Jesse (Kriel) can’t play, and some of the Japanese clubs asked us nicely for their players.
“They helped us out with the Japan match that was outside the window, and this match is also outside the window. It is the same with Wales; they have also got a couple of players playing in the Premiership, and there is no getting away from Premiership rules — you can’t play in matches outside the window.
“I guess there are about 14 or 15 guys currently here who won’t be available next week. And obviously, a guy like Edwill (van der Merwe) won’t return to the squad.”
Van der Merwe went home last week for the birth of his child.
“Manie (Libbok) is another going back to Japan,” said Erasmus.
“He is only just fresh in Japan, and the club asked if he could join them as their season starts next week, so we will regroup and see. But yeah, probably only 24 or 25 guys touring with us to Wales.”