The result of a recent reader poll has named Lions loose forward Vincent Tshituka as the most unfortunate to have missed out on a call-up to the Springbok squad for the upcoming three-Test tour of the UK.

Head coach Jacques Nienaber announced a 32-man squad for South Africa’s three-Test tour of Europe in November, and surprisingly only included two uncapped players in scrumhalf Grant Williams and lock Salmaan Moerat.

With a few regular squad members ruled out through injury, several other players were earmarked for inclusion in the touring party, but were unfortunately not called up.

An SARugbymag.co.za poll asked readers to have a say on the squad and vote for which player was the most unlucky to not get selected for the tour.

Tshituka was the outstanding favourite, receiving just over 25% of the vote, edging out the likes of Stormers duo Warrick Gelant and Evan Roos.

The 23-year-old flank has been excellent in an ever-improving Lions pack. However, the man born in Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently not eligible for selection for the Springboks.

The process is currently under way to get him a South African passport, but there is no clear timeline on the complicated issue.

Readers also wanted to see Gelant, who has made an excellent return from a knee injury, get a recall for the first time since 2019.

Gelant received 18% of votes, while his Stormers teammate Roos, earmarked as a potential successor to Duane Vermeulen’s throne, got 20% of votes.

Photo: Massimiliano Carnabuci/LiveMedia/Shutterstock