The Springboks will jet off to Australia for two Tests against the Wallabies without dynamic No 8 Evan Roos.
Roos has not been included in the 34-man Bok squad for the Rugby Championship clashes with the Wallabies in Adelaide (27 August) and Sydney (3 September), as well as with Argentina in Buenos Aires (17 September).
Roos was the face of a triumphant Stormers pack that conquered all comers on their way to the inaugural Vodacom United Rugby Championship title. The explosive loose forward was voted into the URC Dream Team, and finished the season as Fans’ Player of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, Next-Gen Player of the Season and overall Player of the Season.
These accolades were only sufficient to earn him 47 minutes in a Test debut against Wales in July, as a completely overhauled Bok lineup went down 13-12.
The world champions will head east on the back of a 35-23 loss to the All Blacks at Ellis Park, with 36-year-old Duane Vermeulen and Jasper Wiese contending for the No 8 jersey.
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Meanwhile, hooker Bongi Mbonambi has been ruled out for four weeks after suffering a knee injury at training last week, so Deon Fourie will serve as backup to Malcolm Marx and Joseph Dweba.
Canan Moodie, who was called up to the squad as utility back cover following the suspension of wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, is the only uncapped player in the group and will travel with the Springboks for the first time, providing cover at wing and fullback.
“Bongi has been ruled out for four weeks, but Deon, who is an experienced hooker and flank, has been practising his lineout throws with us, so we are confident that he will be able to fill that void for us in these matches,” said Jacques Nienaber.
“We are also excited to see how Canan slots in during the next few weeks and to see how he adapts to our structures and systems, and we believe he has the skills to slot in for Kurt-Lee and Cheslin [Kolbe].
“This is a settled group of players and includes a wide spread of experience and young players who have made their presence felt, and we believe that they have what it takes to guide us back on track in the Rugby Championship in the matches against Australia.”
The Boks will depart on Thursday for the tour to Australia and Argentina.
Springbok squad for Rugby Championship tour:
Props:
Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)
Vincent Koch (Wasps)
Frans Malherbe (Stormers)
Ox Nche (Sharks)
Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92)
Hookers:
Joseph Dweba (Stormers)
Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)
Locks:
Lood de Jager (Wild Knights)
Eben Etzebeth (Sharks)
Salmaan Moerat (Stormers)
Loose forwards:
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Verblitz)
Siya Kolisi (Sharks)
Elrigh Louw (Bulls)
Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)
Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)
Duane Vermeulen (Ulster)
Utility forwards:
Deon Fourie (Stormers)
Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)
Scrumhalves:
Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles)
Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks)
Herschel Jantjies (Stormers)
Cobus Reinach (Montpellier)
Flyhalves:
Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo)
Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
Centres:
Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)
Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins)
Outside Backs:
Canan Moodie (Bulls)
Warrick Gelant (Racing 92)
Willie le Roux (Verblitz)
Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
Utility backs:
Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)
Frans Steyn (Cheetahs)
Damian Willemse (Stormers)
