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'Retired' Brits gets shock call-up by Springboks

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Former Saracens hooker Schalk Brits has been added to the Springbok squad and has already joined the group in Bloemfontein, it was confirmed on Monday.

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Rassie Erasmus, the Director of Rugby at SA Rugby, believes that Brits can play a similar role in the current Springbok setup such as experienced players Duane Vermeulen and Willie le Roux.

The 37-year-old Brits retired from rugby after the 2017/2018 European club season after representing Saracens for a number of seasons.

Brits previously represented the Lions and the Stormers in Super Rugby.

The 37-year-old has made 10 Test appearances for South Africa, the last of which came at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

“We are busy with building experience, continuity and capacity towards the Rugby World Cup, so we want our young players rubbing shoulders with experienced players such as Duane, Vermeulen and Willie le Roux,” explained Erasmus.

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“I want Schalk to perform a similar role, because he has extensive inside knowledge and plenty of experience from playing for Saracens in the English and European conditions. It’s a great way for our younger guys to learn the trade of international rugby from these guys.”

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South Africa came from 21 points down to defeat England 42-39 in a thrilling first Test at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Erasmus cut seven players from his team – initially 43-men strong – in the aftermath, while Bulls prop Trevor Nyakane withdrew with a rib injury.

The Springbok team to face England in the second Test in Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium will be named on Thursday.

England themselves have made an addition to their squad at hooker.

Worcester Warriors’ Jack Singleton will join Eddie Jones’ squad on Monday as England’s third hooker to cover Luke Cowan-Dickie.

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Singleton is called up as a precaution after the Exeter man experienced hamstring tightness following the first Test in Johannesburg.

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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