6 South Africans in Benetton squad for SA URC trip

There are six South Africans in the Benetton squad for their two-game United Rugby Championship tour to South Africa.

URC log

Springbok fullback Andries Coetzee, along with hooker Corniel Els, lock duo Irne Herbst and Carl Wegner, scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage and utility back Rhyno Smith all feature in the 30-man squad.

Coetzee, who played all 13 Tests of his Tests in 2017, joined Benetton in 2021 having previously played for the Lions and the Kintetsu Liners in Japan.

Els and Herbst are both former Bulls players, while Wegner was a stalwart for the Cheetahs for many seasons.

Duvenage made a name for himself at the Stormers, while Smith previously represented the Sharks and Cheetahs.

Benetton will play the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday (April 23, 14:00), before facing the Lions in Johannesburg the following weekend (April 30, 14:00).

The Italians are 13th in the standings with four wins from 14 matches.