Katlego Sekhu

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has trimmed his initial 54-man training squad to 45 players ahead of South Africa’s upcoming Test against the Barbarians.
Among the standout changes is the inclusion of Boan Venter, a former Toyota Cheetahs prop now playing his trade at Edinburgh Rugby. Venter, a member of the Junior Springbok training squad in 2017, has received his first-ever Springbok call-up.
Venter’s inclusion follows the release of six players from the initial squad due to injury. Among them are Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu, both props, opening the door for Venter’s selection.
The other injured players released include centre Lukhanyo Am, utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, and No 8s Cameron Hanekom and Juarno Augustus.
In addition to the injury list, a further five players have been released back to their unions: Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), Jordan Hendrikse (flyhalf), Quan Horn (fullback), Renzo du Plessis (flanker), and Ntokozo Makhaza (utility back).
Most of the remaining squad members reassembled in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon to continue preparations for the international season. Players from the Vodacom Bulls, who featured in Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final against Leinster, will link up with the squad on Monday evening. RG Snyman is expected to arrive on Tuesday afternoon.
Gallagher Premiership stars Handré Pollard and Thomas du Toit will rejoin the national setup, Pollard on Monday, 23 June, and Du Toit a week later, initially for a three-day stint. Boan Venter is set to report for duty on Sunday, 29 June.
Reflecting on the team’s progress, Erasmus said:
“Our first week of training went well, and it offered us a chance to assess our depth and measure the level at which the players are currently, with an eye on the international season.”
South Africa’s clash against the Barbarians promises to test the Bok depth further as Erasmus continues fine-tuning his squad ahead of a busy international calendar.
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