Faf de Klerk joins Boks as Erasmus delays team announcement for All Blacks Test

STALWART scrumhalf Faf de Klerk will join the Springboks in New Zealand for the second leg of their Rugby Championship campaign against the All Blacks, where they will play matches in Auckland and Wellington, as additional cover in the key position.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

Coach Rassie Erasmus has opted to call up a scrumhalf following the late unavailability of hooker Bongi Mbonambi, who remained behind in South Africa earlier this week to attend to an urgent family matter.

De Klerk’s addition to the squad increases the size of the group in Auckland to 36 players.

Malcolm Marx will be the starting hooker, with backup in the form of Marnus van der Merwe and the versatile Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

The Springboks will face their arch-rivals at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, before travelling to Wellington for their second match on the tour at the Sky Stadium on Saturday, September 13.

Siya Kolisi and Willie le Roux remain injury doubts for this week’s clash, with Marco van Staden and Damian Willemse likely to replace them.