Ruben van Heerden has been called up to the Springbok squad and will join the team in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening as they continue their preparations for their season opener against the Barbarians next Saturday.
The Boks’ match against the BaaBaas (15h00) will be preceded by a clash between the SA ‘A’ team and Zimbabwe (12h00) at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on 20 June.
The 28-year-old former Junior Springbok lock, who has been a central figure in the DHL Stormers pack in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this season, will replace Salmaan Moerat, who has been released from camp due to injury.
Van Heerden earned his 50th cap for the DHL Stormers this season, while he also represented the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, and Exeter Chiefs earlier in his career.
Phepsi Buthelezi and Carlu Sadie, who were called up to the squad on Monday, meanwhile, have already reported for duty.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick, who will steer the SA ‘A’ team, will name their matchday squads for the respective clashes next week.