Pat Lambie and Willie le Roux back in South Africa squad
Wednesday 21 September 2016 17:10, UK
Pat Lambie has been named in a 31-strong South Africa squad for the Rugby Championship clashes with Australia and New Zealand.
The fly-half has been sidelined since June, when he was concussed playing for the Springboks against Ireland in Cape Town.
Lambie returned from his enforced absence last Saturday for the Sharks and coach Allister Coetzee said his inclusion was as much to check on his fitness as to challenge starting No 10 Elton Jantjies for his role.
"We want to ascertain his readiness and confidence for international rugby or whether he rather needs to play another match in the Currie Cup for the Sharks," he said.
"Patrick has been included in our squad so that our medical and conditioning team can get first-hand feedback."
Prop Lourens Adriaanse is the only man to miss out from the previous Springboks squad of 28, which is boosted by Lambie, full-back Willie le Roux, prop Julian Redelinghuys and lock Lood de Jager - the latter pair back from injury as well.
Coetzee added: "It's great to have players with the experience of Pat and Willie back in the squad.
"The same goes for Julian and Lood, both of whom have played very well for us this year and will add something to the pack."
South Africa are next back in action on October 1 against the Wallabies in Pretoria and close their Rugby Championship campaign at home to New Zealand seven days later in Durban.
Forwards (16): Willem Alberts, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Jaco Kriel, Francois Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Oupa Mohoje, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Julian Redelinghuys, Adriaan Strauss (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Warren Whiteley.
Backs (15): Damian de Allende, Johan Goosen, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Elton Jantjies, Juan de Jongh, Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel, Patrick Lambie, Lionel Mapoe, Malcolm Marx, Lwazi Mvovo, Rudy Paige, Willie le Roux, Morne Steyn.
