Overview
- South Africa beat the Barbarians 80-31 in Gqeberha on Saturday but veteran lock Franco Mostert limped off with an ankle problem and is due to have scans, a matter coach Rassie Erasmus described as worrying.
- Late on Saturday Erasmus trimmed his extended group to a 46-man Nations Championship squad that includes six uncapped players and recalls 12 Vodacom Bulls who missed the Gqeberha trials because of United Rugby Championship commitments.
- The six possible debutants are Paul de Villiers, Riley Norton, Ruben van Heerden, Carlu Sadie, Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams while Embrose Papier and Herschel Jantjies return to the squad after long absences.
- Second-row depth remains a concern because of injuries to RG Snyman, Lood de Jager and Salmaan Moerat, but 20-year-old Riley Norton produced an 80-minute standout performance that forced his inclusion.
- The squad will regroup in Johannesburg to finalise preparations for Tests against England, Scotland and Wales in July and a one-off match in Buenos Aires on August 8 as coaches fast-track youth and protect cover for a busy Test calendar.