Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus is making contingency plans for South Africa’s first match against Wales at Twickenham.
Erasmus’ first Test back as the head coach of the Springboks is outside of World Rugby’s international window meaning he will be without several of his stars.
The squad will be made up of locally based players and a handful of stars based in Japan. However, the URC final takes place on the same day as the clash at Twickenham, meaning that he could be without two sets of players if the Bulls and Stormers, or even the Lions, make the final.
Pumas prop scouted
In the unlikely event that he is unable to select the Stormers or Bulls stars, the Springboks boss is searching all possible choices and has descended the South African rugby ladder.
Because of this, Pumas front-rower Sampie Swiegers has been invited to the most recent alignment camp of the Springboks, as Erasmus intensifies his preparations for the upcoming international campaign.
Swiegers, who led the NWU Eagles to a Varsity Cup title the previous year, just signed with the Pumas, a Currie Cup team. The 25-year-old was the only participant invited who has never played rugby in Europe or the URC.
Swiegers told the South African publication Rapport, “It’s an incredible feeling and of course a great privilege [to be involved with the Springboks].” “It still seems surreal to me,”
Concerns over the players’ availability for the Test against Wales forced the second alignment camp to be held virtually, but Swiegers was still involved in the calls that included several of the double Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks.
“Those players are all my heroes,” he continued.
“I’m going to savor every second, absorb as much as I can, and pick up knowledge wherever I can.”
This invitation, in my opinion, is a positive move. I think that if I work hard enough, I will eventually receive my chance.
Another surprise inclusion
Swiegers is not Erasmus’s first unexpected call-up; Marnus van der Merwe, the hooker for the Cheetahs, attended the first alignment camp.
Van der Merwe, who inked a contract to play for Welsh team Scarlets next season, was the only member of the Cheetahs team invited to the inaugural Bok gathering.
The Springboks will play two Test matches against Ireland in South Africa after their encounter against Wales.
