Rugby: WP trio included in Springbok squad for year-end tour

Western Province may have fallen at the last hurdle in the Currie Cup, but three of their standout players have been rewarded with spots in the 35-man Springbok squad for next month's year-end tour.

Rassie Erasmus' men embark on a tour of Europe where they will play England, France, Scotland and Wales, and he has included the WP trio of Ruhan Nel, JD Schickerling and Sergel Petersen in the touring party.

The squad also sees the return of a former WP player in veteran fullback Gio Aplon, who last played for the Springboks in 2012, as well as the Bulls duo of Trevor Nyakane and Lood de Jager who both return to the fold after lengthy injury lay-offs.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND SEPTEMBER 22: Gio Aplon of South Africa celebrates scoring their first try during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Namibia at North Harbour Stadium on September 22, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Also making a comeback is Sharks skipper Louis Schreuder, who led his side to Currie Cup triumph earlier in the day, and has been brought in following the absence of Faf de Klerk who is unavailable for the tour due to club commitments.

However, several members of the overseas have been included in the Springbok squad, as Willie le Roux, Francois Louw, Duane Vermeulen and Franco Mostert have all been released for the tour.

Springbok squad Backs: Willie le Roux, Gio Aplon, Damian Willemse, Sergeal Petersen, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Sbu Nkosi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Ruhan Nel, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Handr Pollard, Elton Jantjies, Embrose Papier, Ivan van Zyl, Louis Schreuder.

Forwards: Warren Whiteley, Duane Vermeulen, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Francois Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, JD Schickerling, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Schalk Brits, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi.

Tags: Springboks

LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/springbok-year-end-tour-squad/...
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