Cameron Hanekom earns Bok call-up after Damian Willemse ruled out

By SABC Sport
27th October 2024

Cameron Hanekom earned his first call-up to the Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour after the withdrawal of utility back Damian Willemse due to a groin injury.

Hanekom, a former Junior Springbok who has been in sublime form for the Bulls this year, was a member of the Springbok alignment camps earlier in the season.

Willemse suffered the injury while scoring a try for the Stormers in their 28-17 defeat against the Glasgow Warriors in Stellenbosch in round six of the United Rugby Championship on Saturday evening.

The Springbok squad now includes 20 forwards and 15 backs. Willemse's withdrawal follows that of utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels earlier this week due to an ankle injury, which resulted in the call-ups of Johan Grobbelaar (hooker) and Wilco Louw (prop).

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus admitted that while the loss of Willemse was a blow, Hanekom's call-up was well deserved after knocking on the door for the last season.

"Damian has been in great form the Stormers since returning from injury and we feel for him after missing out on all ten Test matches this season due to a finger injury," said Erasmus.

"But as was the case with Wilco and Johan's call-up, we are excited to see what Cameron brings to the team. He was in the group of players included in our alignment camps earlier in the year, so he's familiar with some of our structures and the Springbok ethos, and we have no doubt he will grab this opportunity with both hands."

Erasmus added: "We are comfortable with the depth and versatility we have among the backs in the squad, so we decided to include another forward to add to our loose forward stocks."

The Springboks will depart for a training camp in Jersey, the largest of the largest of the Channel Islands between England and France, on Sunday. The group will then make the journey to Edinburgh on Sunday 3 November for their opening Test of the tour.

The Boks will face Scotland in Edinburgh (Sunday 10 November), England in London (Saturday 16 November) and Wales in Cardiff (Saturday 23 November) on their traditional end-of-year tour.

Updated Springbok squad for the End-of-Year Tour

Forwards: Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, Malcolm Marx, Johan Grobbelaar, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (c), Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese, Cameron Hanekom.

Backs: Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie.