Springboks ring changes ahead of visit of Scotland

Scotland have beaten the Springboks five times in 21 meetings and they will meet again on 15 June, for the first time in Nelspruit. Missing from the South African ranks will be backs JP Pietersen and Frans Steyn and forwards Duane Vermeulen and Andries Bekker, the first three due to injury and Bekker because he is quitting South Africa for Japanese rugby. Ruan Pieenaar, Gurthro Steenkamp and Francois Louw are among others not included in the 38-man training squad  because they are playing overseas, while stand-off Johan Goosen, Jaco Taute and front rows Pat Cilliers and Frans Malherbe are also out.

The Cheetahs’ fine form in Super Rugby is reflected with the uncapped trio of prop Trevor Nyakane, flanker Lappies Labuschagne and wing Willie le Roux joining team-mates Coenie Ooosthuizen, Adriaan Strauss, Robert Ebersohn and Raymond Rhule in the squad. Southern Kings stand-offf Demetri Catrakilis is the only Kings player in the squad while wing Gio Aplon is recalled, and JJ Engelbrecht and Lionel Mapoe of the Bulls, and Sharks prop Wiehahn Herbst, earn call-ups.

Other new names are former under-20 internationals Pieter-Steph du Toit, Arno Botha and Jan Serfontein.

Patrick Lambie, whose grandparents hail from Ayrshire, is included and, as one of ten players who started against the Scots at Murrayfield last year, is among a solid core of experienced Boks that will see them start the tournament as favourites.

Meyer said: “It looks like most of the guys are improving weekly and a few new players have put up their hands, which is good to see with the first Test only a few weeks away.”

Meyer will name his final squad for the four-nation tournament on 1 June which will be a crucial stage in his rebuilding a squad capable of competing for the Rugby World Cup in 2015  in the wake of more players heading overseas.