Willie Le Roux returns to South Africa squad

South Africa have named Willie le Roux in the squad for the fifth round of the Rugby Championship clash against Australia to be played in Port Elizabeth next weekend.

The 29-year-old returned back to his club Wasps after Springboks' 34-36 win over New Zealand in Wellington following the agreement between the Gallagher Premiership side and South Africa and even featured for the Ricoh Arena outfit in the previous round clash against Sale Sharks.

However, Wasps' boss Dai Young said he will not mind releasing le Roux if he is recalled in the squad for the conclusion of the Rugby Championship tournament. Bath's Francois Louw will continue to miss the closing stage of the tournament after having a similar agreement.

Saracens prop Vincent Koch has been called by head coach Rassie Erasmus alongside Ruhan Nel (Western Province), Sbu Nkosi, Lionel Mapoe and Ivan van Zyl.

“Ruhan comes with a lot of international experience with the Blitzboks and he has performed consistently well for DHL WP, so it will be good to see how he operates in the Bok environment,” said Erasmus.

“Trevor and Sbu have been part of the squad earlier in the year and it’s good to welcome them back, while the players who featured for their provinces in recent weeks all got some valuable game time.”

South Africa are currently at second place in the ongoing edition of the Rugby Championship and will face Australia and New Zealand in the final two rounds at home on 29th September and 6th October respectively.

South Africa squad:

Forwards: Schalk Brits, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Warren Whiteley

Backs: Faf de Klerk, Aphiwe Dyantyi, André Esterhuizen, Elton Jantjies, Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Lionel Mapoe, Ruhan Nel, Sibusiso Nkosi, Embrose Papier, Handré Pollard, Ivan van Zyl, Damian Willemse