Rassie Erasmus picks flyhalf to replace injured Springbok prop

Flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse has been called up to replace prop Frans Malherbe in the Springboks squad for their end-of-year tour.

Flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse has been called up to replace prop Frans Malherbe in the Springboks squad for their end-of-year tour. Image: SA Rugby website

Flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse has been called up to replace Frans Malherbe in the Springbok squad for their end-of-year tour after the experienced prop was forced to remain in South Africa on Sunday due to an ankle injury.

Malherbe suffered the injury in the Stormers’ United Rugby Championship clash against the Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch last Saturday.

Explained the decision

Hendrikse – the brother of scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse – started his first and only Test against Wales in London in June in the Springbooks’ opening match of the season, while he was also named in Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ standby squad for the Incoming Series.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks flyhalf will join the squad in Jersey on Thursday.

Erasmus explained the decision to replace Malherbe with a backline player, saying there was enough depth among the props at this stage in the group following the call-up of Wilco Louw, who has joined fellow front-rankers Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Ox Nche and Gerhard Steenekamp in the squad.

Earlier, Johan Grobbelaar (hooker) and Cameron Hanekom (loose forward) were also called up after the withdrawal of Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Damian Willemse, who were ruled out with ankle and groin injuries, respectively.

“Jordan has been playing very well for the Hollywoodbets Sharks in the URC and he’s a capped Springbok, so he is familiar with our structures,” said Erasmus.

“This will also serve as a great opportunity for him to get further exposure at international level and in the Springbok set-up itself. We also have good depth among the forwards, so we opted to call up Jordan to add further depth among the backs.

“He’s a talented player, and he’s been growing in the role at his union as we saw with his late penalty goal to earn the Hollywoodbets Sharks the Currie Cup title earlier this season, and through his recent performances in the URC, so we are excited to see what he can add to the squad.”

Erasmus added: “With the UK and South Africa being in similar time zones it would be simple to call up another prop should the need arise during the tour.”

The Springboks started their on-field preparations for their tour in Jersey on Tuesday after having a recovery day on Monday following the trip to the island via London on Sunday.

The Springboks will face Scotland in Edinburgh (Sunday, 10 November), England in London (Saturday, 16 November) and Wales in Cardiff (Saturday, 23 November) on their traditional end-of-year tour.

Updated Springbok squad:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)

Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster)

Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)

Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

Flyhalves: Jordan Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)

Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls)