The Springbok scrum-half will provide additional cover in the key position for their matches in Auckland and Wellington.

De Klerk’s inclusion in the squad increases the size of the group currently preparing for the first Test in Auckland to 36 players. Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi remained behind in South Africa earlier this week to attend to family matters.

The Springboks will face the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday (6/9) before travelling to Wellington for their second match of the tour at the Sky Stadium the following Saturday. 

This week, Springbok assistant coach Jerry Flannery said his team had to be at their best next weekend to break their hoodoo at Eden Park in Auckland.  The Boks last won a match at this stadium in 1937.

‘Big challenge lying ahead at Eden Park’

The New Zealanders currently lead the standings in the Rugby Championship with six points, while the Wallabies are one point behind with five, followed by the Springboks and Argentina in third in fourth place on four points, with four matches remaining.

With a big challenge lying ahead at Eden Park, Flannery said: “I haven’t tracked everything since 1937, but for us the important thing will be to go out there and play our game – Springbok rugby – and play our best game.”

‘We need to be at our best’

“I think we’ve been a little inconsistent so far this season. We’ve had some good performances, especially against the Barbarians and in our second Test against Italy. But I don’t think we’ve really hit the heights that we are looking for yet, so we need to be at our best.”

Next Saturday’s match in Auckland kicks off at 09:05 (SA time). 

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg