Injury hit Springboks call up a No.8 to replace Damian Willemse

Cameron Hanekom earned his first call-up to the Springbok squad on Sunday as he steps into Rassie Erasmus' 35-man team for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour following the withdrawal of Damian Willemse.

Willemse sustained a groin injury while scoring a try in the DHL Stormers' 28-17 loss to Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch and has been pulled out of the tour. Willemse’s withdrawal follows hot on the heels of Jan-Hendrik Wessels earlier this week due to an ankle injury, which in turn saw call-ups of hooker Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw.

The former Junior Springbok has been in fine form for Jake White's Bulls and has participated in Springbok alignment camps earlier in the season.

The squad now holds 20 forwards and 15 backs, with Erasmus noting Hanekom’s selection as deserved after a season of consistent performances.

“Damian has been in great form the DHL Stormers since returning from injury and we feel for him after missing out on all 10 Test matches this season due to a finger injury,” said Erasmus.

“But as was the case with Wilco and Johan’s call-up, we are excited to see what Cameron brings to the team. He was in the group of players included in our alignment camps earlier in the year, so he’s familiar with some of our structures and the Springbok ethos, and we have no doubt he will grab this opportunity with both hands.”

“We are comfortable with the depth and versatility we have among the backs in the squad, so we decided to include another forward to add to our loose forward stocks," concluded Erasmus.

The Springboks will head to Jersey for a training camp on Sunday before traveling to Edinburgh on 3 November for their opening Test. They will play Scotland in Edinburgh on 10 November, England in London on 16 November, and Wales in Cardiff on 23 November during their end-of-year tour.

Updated Springboks squad: 

Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls).

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

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

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

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

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL 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 (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).