Etzebeth recalled by Springboks as uncapped rookie Ahmed ruled out with shoulder injury

Eben Etzebeth is set to rejoin the Springbok squad in France on Monday after Rassie Erasmus recalled the 147-Test lock for the Nations Championship’s northern hemisphere leg, with uncapped fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed withdrawn due to a shoulder injury.

Ahmed, 20, had been one of the standout selections when Erasmus named his touring squad, part of a group of six uncapped players given the opportunity to push for Springbok recognition. The playmaker missed most of the build-up to South Africa’s 66-7 demolition of Italy in Turin last Saturday and will now return home to recover.

“We are very sad for Yaqeen after earning his first call-up to the national squad, but we feel it will be best for him to return to South Africa to recover,” Erasmus said. “After being with us for a week, he has a good idea of how we operate and has more insight into our systems, and we are confident that the experience will benefit him immensely as a player going forward.”

Etzebeth had originally been ruled out of the touring squad through injury, but has recovered sufficiently to return at what Erasmus described as a pivotal stage of the competition. South Africa face France and Ireland in consecutive weeks before the Nations Championship Finals Weekend, and the Springbok head coach made clear that experience was the priority as the stakes rise.

“With enough backline cover in the squad and a number of versatile players among them, we opted to call up Eben, who will not only bring vast experience to the group at this vital stage of the Nations Championship, but also valuable leadership skills, especially with two important matches against France and Ireland in the next two weeks before the Finals Weekend,” Erasmus said.

Etzebeth is expected to arrive in France on Monday, the same day Erasmus will name his matchday 23 for Friday’s fixture against Les Bleus at the Stade de France.