JOHANNESBURG– The Springbok squad has assembled in Johannesburg ahead of their 2017 tour of Europe where they are scheduled to play Ireland, France, Italy and Wales.

The Springboks, who finished third in the 2017 Rugby Championship behind New Zealand and Australia. will be without the services of Jean-Luc du Preez after the hard-working loose forward fractured his ankle during the Currie Cup final where his Sharks side lost against Western Province.

Du Preez went off in the first half after a tackle by Western Province flanker Sikhumbuzo Notshe. Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is expected to name his replacement before the end of this week.

Coetzee said here Monday: “Actually very sad for the player to miss out on the outgoing tour like this; he has done very well up until now and settled in very nicely and he has been part of this pack of forwards we are trying to build.”

On Sunday, Coetzee named four uncapped players in his 34-man squad for the end of the year tour to Europe, including du Preez.

With the trio of Louis Schreuder, Warrick Gelant and Lukhanyo Am having formed part of the Springbok training camps, Coetzee expressed his satisfaction with the team’s continuity. After a rather subdued 2016 season the Springbok used the end of the year tour last year to self-correct.

And if Coetzee’s words on Monday are anything to go by, this year will be no different as the Springboks are expected to use this tour to further improve their performance.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK