Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has plukked himself a goue appeltjie by naming 36-year-old ex-Stormer Gio Aplon in his squad for their European tour.
South Africa face England in the first of four Tests on Saturday and with regular fullback Willie le Roux not available for all the matches, Erasmus decided to rope in the experience Aplon who now plies his trade in Japan.
Erasmus explains: “Gio [Aplon] has a lot of experience of playing in the challenging European conditions, while [Sharks scrumhalf] Louis [Schreuder] has been impressive in the Currie Cup.
“And we all know the value experienced players such as Lood [de Jager], Trevor [Nyakane], and Duane [Vermeulen, who are all returning] will bring to the squad.”
Apart from adding experience, Erasmus also decided to call up uncapped Western Province trio Ruhan Nel, Sergeal Petersen and JD Schickerling.
Of the new faces, he adds: “I’m excited to work with Sergeal and JD – I am sure they will bring a lot of energy into the group.”
Forwards:
Schalk Brits, Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (captain), Francois Louw, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Trevor Nyakane, JD Schickerling, RG Snyman, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley.
Backs:
Gio Aplon, Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi, André Esterhuizen, Elton Jantjies, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Wille le Roux, Ruhan Nel, Sbu Nkosi, Embrose Papier, Sergeal Petersen, Handré Pollard, Louis Schreuder, Ivan van Zyl, Damian Willemse.