Handré Pollard will join the Bok squad in Port Elizabeth following the withdrawal of a number of overseas-based players.

Seven players based in France and England have been released to their clubs and will not be considered for selection for next weekend’s Test against Scotland as the match falls outside of the IRB international window.

The absentees are Gurthrö Steenkamp (prop), Schalk Brits (hooker), Bakkies Botha (lock), Francois Louw (flank), Morné Steyn (flyhalf), Wynand Olivier (centre) and Bryan Habana (wing).

Heyneke Meyer will rely mainly on the group of players he has at his disposal, with only Pollard and hooker Adriaan Strauss being drafted in as cover.

'We will still travel to Port Elizabeth with a strong squad and will only consider calling up more replacements if necessitated by injury,' said Meyer. 'The players in the squad who have not yet featured in one of our three matches this month have worked very hard.

'I’ve always rated Handré very highly and with Morné returning to France and Johan Goosen struggling with a knee injury, we decided to bring him in.

'Adriaan has been with us since June 2012 and has played in every Test in the last two seasons. He knows our structures well and will slot back in with no hassle.

'I’m a believer in earning opportunities and I feel that some of them deserve a chance to play for the Springboks against Scotland as they’ve now become accustomed to how we play and won’t let their country down.'

Having just concluded a physical series against Wales, the Springboks could well be boosted by the inclusion of some fresh legs and new faces.

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