The Springboks have called up a double World Cup winner for the remainder of the Nations Championship, with flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed sent home.
Lock Eben Etzebeth is set to join the Boks in France on Monday, while the uncapped Ahmed will return to South Africa due to a shoulder niggle.
Etzebeth was ruled out of Rassie Erasmus’ initial touring squad for the second leg of the competition with an ankle problem.
The 20-year-old Ahmed, one of six uncapped players in the squad, missed most of the training sessions in the build-up to the Boks’ 66-7 win over Italy in Turin on Saturday.
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“We are very sad for Yaqeen after earning his first call-up to the national squad, but we feel it will be best for him to return to South Africa to recover,” Erasmus said.
“After being with us for a week, he has a good idea of how we operate and has more insight into our systems, and we are confident that the experience will benefit him immensely.
“With enough backline cover in the squad and a number of versatile players among them, we opted to call up Eben at this vital stage of the Nations Championship.”
Erasmus on Monday will name his match 23 for Friday night’s clash at the Stade de France against France.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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The Springboks have called up a double World Cup winner for the remainder of the Nations Championship, with flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed sent home.
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