mens
nations-championship
Eben Etzebeth has returned to the Springboks, but the return of South Africa’s biggest player has come at the expense of one of the team’s most intriguing young prospects.
Rassie Erasmus has recalled Etzebeth ahead of the looming Springboks Nations Championship reckoning with France after a thrilling uncapped fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed was forced to withdraw from the touring squad with a shoulder injury.
Ahmed, 20, was 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 traveled to Europe hoping to force his way into the race for the Springboks.
Instead, his first taste of the national setting was cut short.
Mladic missed most of the build-up to Saturday’s crushing 66-7 win Italy in Turin with a sore shoulder and will now return to South Africa for further recovery.
“We are very sad for Yaqeen after he earned his first call-up to the national team, but we feel it will be best for him to return to South Africa to recover,” Erasmus said.
“Having been with us for a week, he has a good idea of how we operate and has a better understanding of our systems, and we are confident that his experience as a player will be of great benefit in the future.”
While Ahmed goes home, Etzebeth goes in the opposite direction.
The 147-Test lock was initially ruled out of the touring Springboks squad due to injury, but has now recovered enough to rejoin the squad at a crucial stage of the tournament.
South Africa face heavyweight clashes against France and Ireland in the next two weeks before the Nations Championship final weekend, and Erasmus is opting for experience as the stakes continue to rise.
“With ample backline cover in the squad and a number of versatile players amongst them, we decided to call up Eben, who will not only bring huge 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 fortnight before the final weekend of the tournament.”
Etzebeth is expected to join the squad in France on Monday, the same day that Erasmus will make his 23rd appearance for Friday night’s blockbuster against Les Bleus at the Stade de France.