Springbok fullback Willie le Roux will join the national squad in Durban on Sunday and train with the team until Wednesday as they prepare to face Argentina in their penultimate Castle Lager Rugby Championship match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
Aphelele Fassi will start at fullback in the Springboks’ second Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Cape Town on Saturday, following the withdrawal of Willie le Roux due to a niggle.
Willie le Roux will become the eighth Springbok centurion on Saturday when South Africa meet Italy in the second Castle Lager Incoming Series Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, in a new-look team which will be led by Salmaan Moerat and includes three uncapped players on the bench.
Canan Moodie and Jaden Hendrikse make their first appearances in the Springbok jersey since the 2023 Rugby World Cup on Saturday while double RWC winners Willie le Roux and Lukhanyo Am also return to the match-23 face New Zealand in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship in Cape Town.
Springbok fullback Willie le Roux is expecting a “brutal” battle against Tonga in their final Rugby World Cup pool match in Marseille on Sunday.
Springbok centre Jesse Kriel has stressed the importance of Willie le Roux’s communication and ability to “see space”, which is something he feels they need to improve on in their game plan.
The Stormers are in hot pursuit of a Springbok regular as a replacement for France-bound fullback Warrick Gelant next season.
SA Rugby has reportedly sent a request to the Japan Rugby Union for their clubs to release seven Springboks for the 26 November Test against England at Twickenham.
Springbok flank Pieter-Steph du Toit says he is looking forward to life with Toyota Verblitz after arriving for his first training session with the Japanese club on Monday.
Elton Jantjies and Willie le Roux will both start as three changes have been made to the Springbok team to face Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.