Rassie Erasmus discusses uncapped Springboks players and injury concerns

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has addressed the inclusion of six uncapped players in the touring squad for the Nations Championship fixtures in the Northern Hemisphere. The group includes Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton, and Emmanuel Tshituka.

Erasmus noted that while these players were selected to experience the international environment, they were excluded from the matchday 23 named to face Italy. He stated that there was little benefit in selecting only experienced players, as the goal is to integrate new talent into the setup.

Flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed is currently facing uncertainty regarding his tour due to a shoulder injury. Ahmed missed training in Turin and may be required to return to South Africa for medical assessments and scans. Erasmus commented on Ahmed's honesty regarding the injury, noting that the player's presence in the squad allows him to observe the team's processes even if he cannot participate on the field.