Boan Venter, a former Toyota Cheetahs prop who now plays for Edinburgh, earned his first Springbok call-up on Sunday as Bok coach Rassie Erasmus named a group of 45 players following the completion of the team’s first week of training in Johannesburg for the forthcoming international season.
With props Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu amongst six players released from the initial 55-man squad due to injuries, Erasmus drafted in Venter – a member of the Junior Springbok training group in 2017 – as the only new addition to his squad.
The other injured players released from the squad are Lukhanyo Am (centre), Pieter-Steph du Toit (utility forward), Cameron Hanekom, and Juarno Augustus (both No 8s), while another five players – Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), Jordan Hendrikse (flyhalf), Quan Horn (fullback), Renzo du Plessis (flanker), and Ntokozo Makhaza (utility back) – have also been released to their unions.
The majority of the squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon to continue their preparations for the season, while the Vodacom Bulls players, who battled it out with Leinster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final on Saturday, will join their teammates on Monday evening, and RG Snyman on Tuesday afternoon.
The Gallagher Premiership final players, Handre Pollard and Thomas du Toit, meanwhile, will report for duty this Monday and next Monday (initially for three days) respectively, while Venter will join the squad on Sunday 29 June.
“Our first week of training went well, and it offered us a chance to assess our depth and measure the level at which the players are currently, with an eye on the international season,” said Erasmus.
Boan Venter during a Junior Bok training session in 2017.
“We also took stock of the injuries and determined in which positions we needed cover, as well as those in which we have sufficient cover.
“There are a number of players out with long-term injuries, while others are set to return from injury in the next few weeks or months, so they will complete their rehabilitation at their clubs and franchises.
“In terms of the other players released, we feel we have good cover in those positions at this stage, but they are all on standby to join us at any time if we need to call on them.”
