Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba is reportedly on the radar of the Springboks after missing out on the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The 28-year-old made two box appearances in the run-up to the World Cup but was left out of the 33-man squad for the tournament, with Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx the only two selected as specialist hookers. was.
Following Marx's injury in the pool stages, Erasmus and then-head coach Jack Nienaber replaced Hooker with back-rowers Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden, replacing him with fly-half Handre Pollard. The convocation caused controversy.
Dweba rejoins the mix
Fourie ended up playing in the majority of the final against New Zealand after Mbonambi was injured early in the tournament.
Dweba appeared to have slipped further down the Springbok pecking order after he was not invited to Erasmus' first training camp in February.
Markus and Mbonambi were joined in camp by uncapped hookers Johan Grobbelaar, Andre-Ugo Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Marnus van der Merwe.
However, according to an Afrikaans newspaper, he seems to be on the Boks' attention once again. rapport He said he was invited to a virtual camp.
Joining him was Sharks full-back Afelele Fassi. Fassi was also unable to participate in the first camp, but later performed well and earned a position.
Dweba has regained the Stormers' starting jersey and could force his way up the table with some difficult games ahead.
The camp is part of the Springboks' preparations for the 2024 international season, which begins with a match against Wales at Twickenham.
If the Stormers fail to reach the URC final, Erasmus could use Dweba for the game against Wales, with Sharks hooker Mbonambi potentially in the starting lineup and captaining the team.
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However, if Marx has not fully recovered from the knee injury that ended his World Cup, there is a chance the hooker will make his Test debut.
Cheetahs hooker Van der Merwe could be nominated after impressing selectors with his form in the Currie Cup and Challenge Cup, as well as his time with the Ospreys.
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Springbok match schedule
Saturday 22nd June: Springboks vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
Saturday 6th July: Springboks vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday 13 July: Springboks vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, July 20: Springboks vs. Portugal (Bloemfontein, Toyota Stadium)
Saturday 10th August: Australia vs Springboks (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday 17 August: Australia vs Springboks (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Saturday 31 August: Springboks vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday 7th September: Springboks v New Zealand (Cape Town, DHL Stadium)
Saturday, September 21: Argentina vs. Springboks (venue to be determined)
Saturday, September 28: Springboks vs Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
Sunday 10th November: Scotland vs Springboks (Edinburgh, Murrayfield)
Saturday 16 November: England vs Springboks (Twickenham, London)
Saturday 23 November: Wales vs Springboks (Cardiff, Principality Stadium)
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