Five URC stars who could force their way into Bok squad

The Springboks will embark on a tough year-end tour in a couple of weeks, and while they've had a fairly settled squad to select from this season, there are still a few fringe players knocking on the selection dook

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

VINCENT Tshituka.

(AFP)

These players will be keen to use the United Rugby Championship (URC) matches currently under way as a platform to remind head coach Rassie Erasmus and his management team of their abilities.

We look at five URC players who will be hoping to break into the Bok tour squad for the five Tests in November.

The Sharks flanker showed plenty of promise in his Springbok debut and will be hungry for more international opportunities.

At club level, the loose forward looks the closest replacement for veteran Pieter-Steph du Toit, and his game will only benefit from more exposure at the top level. The Boks may have missed an opportunity by not involving him in the Rugby Championship.

While the Sharks haven't started the tournament well and are still searching for their first victory, Tshituka has been at the forefront. His physicality, both in attack and defence, mirrors Du Toit’s style, while he has also been a useful line-out option for the Durban side. A few more strong performances could get his name firmly into the mix.