Erasmus names 36-man Boks squad for northern tour

ByEnigma 808

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus selected a 36-man squad for the national team’s tour of the northern hemisphere. Former Junior Springbok Zachary Porthen earned his first call-up, while Ben-Jason Dixon, Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Jean Kleyn returned after missing earlier matches this year. The Springboks face five consecutive tests beginning against Japan at Wembley Stadium on Nov. 1, followed by matches against France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales.

Two-time World Cup champions Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch were excluded from the touring party, with Mbonambi placed on the standby list. The 22-year-old Porthen made his United Rugby Championship debut for the Stormers in May. Captain Siya Kolisi needs two more appearances to reach 100 test caps after earning his 98th in the recent 29-27 victory over Argentina. Injuries prevented Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Jean-Luc du Preez, and Aphelele Fassi from joining the squad.

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    Besides writing and being a content creator, Enigma 808 sometimes likes to watch paint dry on walls, listening to ASMR while timing snails racing. Such is life.