Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus wants a closer look at young Stormers Damian Willemse, Salmaan Moerat, JD Schickerling and Cobus Wiese.
The quartet was called up to a Springbok training camp in Stellenbosch this weekend, along with another uncapped player in the Bulls’ Marco van Staden.
Of the rookies, Erasmus says: “We’re very pleased that several players got the opportunity to gain Test experience during the June internationals and we are now looking forward to working with more of our most promising players, such as Damian [Willemse], Salmaan [Moerat], Marco [van Staden], JD [Schickerling] and Cobus [Wiese].”
Erasmus will also run the rule over experienced Bok lock Eben Etzebeth, who missed the entire Super Rugby season because of injury, as well as prop Coenie Oosthuizen.
Of the duo, he says: “It’s also good to have Eben and Coenie back with us after they’ve spent a considerable amount of time out of action because of injury.
The camp this weekend excludes players from the Lions and the Sharks, who are preparing for their Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Jaguares and the Crusaders respectively.
Forwards:
Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Salmaan Moerat, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, JD Schickerling, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden and Cobus Wiese.
Backs:
Damian de Allende, Warrick Gelant, Jesse Kriel, Embrose Papier, Handré Pollard, Ivan van Zyl, Damian Willemse.