Vodacom Bulls utility back Canan Moodie has received his first call-up to the Springbok squad and will join the team in Johannesburg on Monday in the wake of a four-week ban handed to Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Moodie’s call-up follows Arendse’s four-week suspension for a dangerous tackle against New Zealand in Nelspruit on Saturday, with him only cleared to return to action on Sunday, 18 September.

Arendse’s suspension means that he will miss the Boks’ next three Tests, and will only be able to play again in their final Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Durban on Saturday, 24 September.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber was excited to welcome the 19-year-old Moodie, who can cover wing and fullback, to the Springbok set-up in what marks his first senior national call-up.

“Canan is one of the exciting young backline prospects in the country as he showed in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this year,” said Nienaber.

“His consistently superb performances earned him a place in the final against eventual champions the Stormers and this, combined with his Junior Springbok experience in the 2021 U20 International Series, will stand him in good stead as he enters the Springbok environment.

“Canan was due for a second stint with the Junior Boks this year but unfortunately missed out because of injury. He has a high work ethic, and he’s a skilful player, so we are excited to see what he brings to squad.”

Arendse, in turn, has been released from the national squad as the Boks prepare for Saturday’s encounter with New Zealand at Ellis Park, which will be followed by a tour to Australia and Argentina for the away leg of the Rugby Championship.

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