Springboks recall Eben Etzebeth as rookie fly-half withdrawn

Eben Etzebeth is back in the Springbok fold, but the return of South Africa’s most-capped player has come at the expense of one of the squad’s most intriguing young prospects.

Rassie Erasmus has recalled Etzebeth ahead of the Springboks’ looming Nations Championship showdown with France after exciting uncapped fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed was forced to withdraw from the touring squad with a shoulder niggle.

Ahmed, 20, had been one of the more eye-catching inclusions when Erasmus named his squad for the northern hemisphere leg of the competition. The playmaker was among six uncapped players selected and had travelled to Europe hoping to force his way into Springbok contention.

Instead, his first taste of the national set-up has been cut short.

The youngster missed most of the build-up to Saturday’s crushing 66-7 victory over Italy in Turin with a sore shoulder and will now return to South Africa for further recovery.

“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 as a player going forward.”

While Ahmed heads home, Etzebeth is heading in the opposite direction.

The 147-Test lock was originally ruled out of the Springboks’ touring squad through injury, but has now recovered sufficiently to rejoin the group at a pivotal stage of the tournament.

South Africa face heavyweight clashes against France and Ireland over the next fortnight before the Nations Championship Finals Weekend, with Erasmus opting for experience as the stakes continue to rise.

“With enough backline cover in the squad and a number of versatile players among them, we opted to call up Eben, who will not only bring vast experience to the group at this vital stage of the Nations Championship, but also valuable leadership skills, especially with two important matches against France and Ireland in the next two weeks before the Finals Weekend of the tournament.”

Etzebeth is expected to join the squad in France on Monday, the same day Erasmus will unveil his matchday 23 for Friday night’s blockbuster against Les Bleus at the Stade de France.