Northampton Saints No.8 Juarno Augustus’ type has not gone unnoticed this season after being included in Rassie Erasmus’ 54-man South Africa squad for his or her alignment camp later this month.
The uncapped former South Africa U20 worldwide, 27, has acquired his first call-up to an alignment camp alongside Sharks flanker Vincent Tshituka and Cheetahs rookie Ntokozo Makhaza.
With the camp happening on Might 22 and 23 in Cape City, the day earlier than Augustus will characteristic within the Investec Champions Cup remaining in Cardiff, the bruising ball-carrier will attend the camp remotely alongside 17 different abroad gamers.
Augustus, Tshituka and Makhaza might be joined by 5 different uncapped gamers within the camp: Renzo du Plessis, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Marnus van der Merwe, and Cobus Wiese.
A potential European cup win and a first Bok cap would cap a remarkable season for Augustus, who has signed for Ulster forward of subsequent season.
Accidents to Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane have meant that the quintet is not going to be a part of the camp.
“That is an thrilling bunch of gamers who’ve all made their mark of their respective competitions this season, and we’re thrilled to ask a couple of proficient new gamers to the camp,” head coach Erasmus said.
“They’ve all made a robust assertion in large competitions beneath immense strain at instances, so we’re wanting ahead to working with them.
“It’s at all times tough to scale back the dimensions of the squad with the abundance of expertise in South African rugby, however we have been restricted within the variety of gamers we might choose for the camp, and we’re assured that we’ve got adequate cowl in all positions inside this group.”
Gamers invited to Springbok alignment camp in Cape City:
Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Emirates Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (each Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (each Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (each Emirates Lions), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Gamers invited to digital Springbok alignment camp :
Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Tub), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Warmth), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets).
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier).
