Gio Aplon wants to see new Boks blooded

Former Springbok Gio Aplon wants to see new faces when the Springboks line up against Wales.

There were no less than eight uncapped players selected in Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber's 43-man training squad ahead of the three-match incoming series against Wales.

Among them are forwards Evan Roos, Ruan Nortje and Elrigh Louw, which Aplon believes all deserve a cap in the upcoming series.

"I think we have to use the three Tests against Wales to see which guys can come in and play well at that level," said Aplon, who earned 17 Test caps.

"Australia is getting up again and New Zealand will also want to make its mark in the Rugby Championship, so it's difficult Tests that await. Throwing new guys in at the deep end first is going to be a bit unfair to them. "It could be as a substitute or as part of the starting lineup, just to see how they fare and to give confidence against a Welsh team that last struggled against Italy. We have the time and have nothing to lose in the run-up to the World Cup."

Aplon added that the South African-based players should be given a chance to prove themselves at Test level.

"The previous two Springbok groups consisted largely of guys based overseas and that would have been a damper on the enthusiasm of the men who play locally," he continued.

"What more did the guys have to do to be noticed? Just look at Evan Roos, Elrigh Louw, Ruan Nortje or Warrick Gelant, who all play well throughout. It's very good to see that they are included. The next step will be to see that they get a chance to play."