Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus selected a group of 35 players ahead of the first Test of the season against Wales in London on July 22.
With a host of injuries, Erasmus had to cast the net a bit wider.
Sharks center Ethan Hooker (21), who made his team debut this season, immediately grabbed attention with a few impressive games during the Durbanites’ URC season to remember.
With Tests against Wales, Portugal, and a two-match series against Ireland approaching, Hooker has a fantastic opportunity to impress the Springbok coaching group during an exciting season that has seen him step up greatly in the Sharks’ middle with injured teammate Lukhanyo Am out.
The other unexpected choices are Edwill van der Merwe of the Lions and Ben-Jason Dixon, a utility forward for the Stormers.
Dixon, who recently played his 50th match for the Stormers against the Lions at Cape Town Stadium, was spotted in a social media post training with the national squad in their last alignment camp.
The utility forward is known for his exceptional workrate, something Erasmus always looks for in a player.
Some have compared him to being in the mould of Pieter-Steph du Toit who is heading towards the twilight of his career ahead of the 2027 RWC in Australia and he could fit that mould either as a backup or as a future starter.
Van der Merwe has been knocking on the door for some time now and was probably unlucky to miss out on selection the past two seasons.
The wing boasts electrifying pace and great finishing ability as well as great aerial skills.
He will provide Erasmus with a backup option, with the Bulls duo Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse in a race against time having picked up injuries recently.
Sanele Nohamba caught the eye this season having moved from scrumhalf to flyhalf and he gave the Lions a new attacking edge.
Most recently, against the Glasgow Warriors, he came off the bench and virtually turned the game on its head on his own.
He could have played both halfback positions, giving Erasmus a great deal of versatility.
Another reason for his exclusion would be concussion symptoms following the high shot he took from Angelo Davids during his most recent game against the Stormers.
Ruben van Heerden of the Stormers is another unfortunate player.
Van Heerden, the team’s workhorse and leader in URC tackle numbers with 224 made, and colleague Warren Gelant, who displayed remarkable growth in the second part of the season, are unfortunate to miss out.
Gelant has lost to Aphelele Fassi, who has been playing well all season.
