The two-time Rugby World Cup-winning tighthead prop, Frans Malherbe, has been withdrawn from the tour due to an ankle injury he sustained on Saturday during the Stormers’ 28-17 defeat to the Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch.

Malherbe is the second Springbok casualty from that game after Damian Willemse picked up a groin injury at the Danie Craven Stadium. Willemse was replaced in the squad by the Bulls’ loose forward, Cameron Hanekom.

Malherbe, in turn, will be replaced by the Sharks flyhalf, Jordan Hendrikse. Hendrikse made his Springbok debut earlier in the year during the 41-13 win against Wales at Twickenham in London. His brother, Jaden, is already on tour after being named as one of the three Springboks in the squad.

Jordan Hendrikse. Photo: X/SA Rugby

The Springbok coach, Hendrikse, is familiar with the structures, and should the need arise, another prop will be called up.

“Jordan has been playing very well for the Sharks in the URC and he’s a capped Springbok, so he is familiar with our structures,” said Erasmus.

“This will also serve as a great opportunity for him to get further exposure at the international level and in the Springbok set-up itself. We also have good depth among the forwards, so we opted to call up Jordan to add further depth among the backs.

Jaden Hendrikse. Photo: Morgan Piek

“He’s a talented player, and he’s been growing in the role at his union as we saw with his late penalty goal to earn the Sharks the Currie Cup title earlier this season, and through his recent performances in the Vodacom URC, so we are excited to see what he can add to the squad.”

“With the UK and South Africa being in similar time zones it would be simple to call up another prop should the need arise during the tour.”

Last week the Bulls duo of Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw were called up to the squad to replace Jan-Hendrik Wessels who also sustained an ankle injury.

The Springboks will face Scotland on 10 November at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg