Springboks call up Hanekom for injured Willemse

Bulls loose forward Cemeron Hanekom earned his first call-up to the Springbok squad on Sunday, replacing injured utility back Damian Willemse.

Willemse has been ruled out of the Boks' year-end tour to the UK after sustaining a groin injury in the Stormers' 28-17 URC loss to Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch on Saturday.

READ | Stormers' stop-start season continues with another defeat to defending URC champs Glasgow

Hanekom, who has been in sublime form for the Bulls, is not a complete stranger to the Bok set-up having been part of the alignment camps earlier this year.

The Bok squad now boasts 20 forwards and 15 backs. Willemse's withdrawal follows that of utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels due to an ankle injury, which resulted in the call-ups of Johan Grobbelaar (hooker) and Wilco Louw (prop).

Bok coach Rassie Erasmus rued the loss of Willemse, but said Hanekom's call-up was well deserved.

"Damian has been in great form the Stormers since returning from injury and we feel for him after missing out on all 10 Test matches this season due to a finger injury," said Erasmus.

"But as was the case with Wilco and Johan’s call-up, we are excited to see what Cameron brings to the team. He was in the group of players included in our alignment camps earlier in the year, so he's familiar with some of our structures and the Springbok ethos, and we have no doubt he will grab this opportunity with both hands.

"We are comfortable with the depth and versatility we have among the backs in the squad, so we decided to include another forward to add to our loose forward stocks."

Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)

Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar