Springboks invite 17 to camp ahead of Wales series, 2 uncapped players included

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has invited 17 players to attend the first week of their preparation camp for next month's Test series against Wales.

The camp, which starts on Monday in Pretoria, features two uncapped players in the Sharks duo of Ntuthuko Mchunu (prop) and Grant Williams (scrumhalf).

Players from the Stormers and Bulls are not included as they have booked their place in the United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-finals that will take place next weekend. 

Two additional injured players, Montpellier scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and Bulls flyhalf Johan Goosen, will also join the camp where they will undergo rehabilitation with an eye on possible selection later in the season and the 2023 Rugby World Cup. 

While Williams is a familiar face in the national set-up having after been a member of the Rugby Championship squad and the team’s UK tour late last year, Mchunu will experience his first taste of national action on the field.

The training squad will be expanded as players from the Bulls and Stormers complete their commitments, along with a handful of European-based players.

"Most of these players were together for a large part of the 2021 season and they know each other well on and off the field, so we are confident that they will set the tone for an exciting season ahead when they begin the training programme on Monday," said Nienaber.

"We also know what Grant can do, he showed his class at our training sessions last season, and he knows our structures and systems well, while Ntuthuko has really improved a lot over the last year, and we are excited to work with him after showing what he can do for the Sharks this season."

Nienaber emphasised the importance of ensuring quality training sessions in the next few weeks,