Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has made the surprising decision to call up flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse into his squad to replace injured prop Frans Malherbe.

An ankle injury has ruled Malherbe out of the Autumn Nations Series Tests against Scotland, England and Wales next November.

The two-time World Cup winner was injured in the Stormers’ United Rugby Championship clash against Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch last Saturday and has now been replaced in Erasmus’ touring squad by Hendrikse.

Hendrikse replaces Malherbe

Malherbe is the third player to be forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury following those of Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Damian Willemse.

Erasmus opted to call up prop Wilco Louw and hooker Johan Grobbelaar to cover Wessels’ injury while calling up uncapped free forward Cameron Hanekom for utility back Damian Willemse.

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Now, with Malherbe withdrawing, Erasmus explained that he believes he has enough top cover in Louw, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Ox Nche and Gerhard Steenekamp to be able to call on them. Hendrix who will join the team on Thursday in Jersey.

“Jordan played very well for the Sharks in the URC and he is a selected Springbok, so he knows our structures,” Erasmus said.

“This will also be a great opportunity for him to gain greater exposure internationally and within the Springbok organization itself. We also have good depth among the forwards, so we have chosen to bring in Jordan to add more depth among the backs.

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“He is a talented player, and he has grown into his role within his union, as we saw with his late penalty goal to win the Sharks the Carling Currie Cup title earlier this season, and with his recent performances in the URC, so we’re excited to see what he can add to the team.

Erasmus added: “With the UK and South Africa being in similar time zones, it would be simple to call in another prop if the need arose during the tour. »

Hendrikse will join his brother Jaden Hendrikse in the squad and will look to add to his one-time Test cap following his debut in South Africa’s first match of the year against Wales at Twickenham. The fly-half, who has also played as a full-back for the Sharks recently, has impressed from the start in URC’s recent matches and was also on Erasmus’ reserve list for the July internationals.

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Updated Springbok squad for the Autumn Nations Series:

Forward: Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, ​​Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi , Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese
Back : Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Jordan Hendrikse, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Bad mood

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