Rassie picks his smaller squad

Five of the seven players who made their debut this month were retained in Rassie Erasmus’s 37-man squad to take on Australia in South Africa’s first two Rugby Championship matches.

- Nicholas Zaal

Five of the seven players who made their debut this month were retained in Rassie Erasmus’s 37-man squad to take on Australia in South Africa’s first two Rugby Championship matches. These take place at Ellis Park on 16 August and at Cape Town Stadium on 23 August.

Twenty forwards and 17 back-line players were named in the squad, including Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter (both props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker) and Cobus Wiese (utility forward).

Neethling Fouche and Vincent Tshituka have been named as standby players along with Lukhanyo Am, who missed the July Tests due to a knee niggle, Faf de Klerk, Makazole Mapimpi, Salmaan Moerat and Evan Roos.