Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has called up Hollywoodbets Sharks flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse as a replacement for the injured tighthead prop Frans Malherbe for the forthcoming tour of Scotland, England and Wales.
The Boks are in Jersey currently preparing for the tour, and while Malherbe did not travel to the island with the other 34 players in the 35-man squad, Erasmus was hoping that the prop might recover from the ankle injury he sustained playing for the DHL Stormers against Glasgow Warriors in time to feature in the selection of the test matches.
However, on Tuesday morning it was obviously decided that Malherbe would not make it, as it was announced that Hendrikse will be replacing him in the squad.
Jordan Hendrikse has been called up after a third member of the #Springboks tour squad has been ruled out due to injury - more here: https://t.co/R9aqbHo7Wx 👊#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/dIIEgBkPRM
— Springboks (@Springboks) October 29, 2024
It appears another left field selection from Erasmus, hardly like for like, but it needs to be seen in the context of his previous decision to replace another Stormers player, Damian Willemse, with a player who does not play in his position.
Willemse, normally a fullback who can also play flyhalf and inside centre, was effectively a utility back, but was replaced by Vodacom Bulls No8 Cameron Hanekom.
Malherbe’s absence has effectively opened the way for Erasmus to call up a utility back replacement for Willemse.
Although Hendrikse, who has been in good form for the Sharks, made his Bok debut at the start of this season at flyhalf, and is currently playing pivot for the Sharks, he has also played a lot of his recent rugby at fullback, where he also did well.
Indeed, Hendrikse also looked the part playing at inside centre in the final few matches of his career with the Emirates Lions.
It is as a pivot though that he is likely to be used on tour if he does get game time, with the final game against Wales on 23 November looking like the best opportunity to give him another go either in the No10 jersey or as a replacement in that position.
DESERVES ANOTHER CHANCE
Hendrikse was a bit nervy but solid in his debut against the Welsh at Twickenham back in June and deserves another chance.
He effectively fell out of the squad because of the progress made by another young player, the Stormers’ Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
This tour then is an opportunity for Hendikse to show what he can do at international level and to impress Erasmus and his fellow coaches in training.
The decision not to go for another prop makes sense if you consider that the Bulls’ Wilco Louw has joined double World Cup winner Wilco Louw in the Bok squad following the withdrawal of his Bulls teammate Jan-Hendrik Wessels last week.
Plus, Thomas du Toit, who has played much of his recent rugby on the loosehead side of the scrum, is also an accomplished tighthead.
So, it would appear that Erasmus felt he didn’t need another prop and decided instead to avail himself of the opportunity to call in what is effectively a like-for-like replacement for Willemse.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY
“Jordan has been playing very well for the Sharks in the Vodacom URC and he’s a capped Springbok, so he is familiar with the structures,” said Erasmus.
“This will serve as a great opportunity for him to get further exposure at international level and in the Springbok set-up itself. We also have good depth among the forwards, so we opted to call up Jordan to add further depth among the backs.
“He is a talented player, and he’s growing in the role at his union as he saw with his late penalty goal to earn the Sharks the Carling Currie Cup title earlier this season, and through his recent performances in the URC.”
Erasmus added that the time zone similarity between the UK and South Africa meant it would be easy to call up another prop should the need arise on tour.
The withdrawal of Malherbe means that there is just one Stormers representative in the Bok tour squad in flyhalf Manie Libbok.
The Boks start their tour against Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday, 10 November, before facing England at Twickenham six days later, on 16 November, before concluding against Wales a week later.
REVISED SPRINGBOKS SQUAD
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), 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 (Shizuko 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: Jordan Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 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).