South Africa confirm squad for Rugby Championship

South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has named a 43-man squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship competition.

Duane Vermeulen, Rosko Specman, Jaden Hendrikse and Johan Grobbelaar have rejoined the squad ahead of the third and final Test against the Lions which the Springboks went on to win 19-16 to claim the series 2-1.

Meanwhile, RG Snyman will join the squad next week taking the squad strength to 43.

“We are very proud about winning the British & Irish Lions series and as a team we enjoyed celebrating that massive feat on Saturday night, but we have a big week ahead,” said Nienaber.

“Our first Test against Argentina in the Rugby Championship is on Saturday, so everything we do now has to be geared toward delivering a quality performance to kick off our campaign.

“We have two important games in Nelson Mandela Bay and then we travel to Australasia for the away leg of the tournament.

“With a long season ahead, it is important that we build on the strides made in our last few matches when we take the field in the coming weeks.”

The squad made a travel to Nelson Mandela Bay on Sunday to begin their preparations for the tournament as they take on Argentina in the opening two rounds scheduled on 14th and 21st August.

South Africa squad:

Forwards: Thomas du Toit, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nché, Trevor Nyakane, Joseph Dweba, Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Franco Mostert, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman, Siya Kolisi (c), Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese, Dan du Preez, Rynhardt Elstadt

Backs: Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Herschel Jantjies, Cobus Reinach, Elton Jantjies, Handré Pollard, Morné Steyn, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi, Rosko Specman, Damian Willemse, Frans Steyn