Frans Steyn was notably left out of the Springboks’ 33-player training camp as the veteran continues to recover from an injury that has placed him in a race to make the World Cup squad.
The Springboks on Saturday evening announced a 33-man squad that will assemble in Durban for a three-day training camp that runs from Monday to Wednesday.
However, the 36-year-old Steyn was not among the names on the list, which did include the currently-injured Siya Kolisi and Jaden Hendrikse.
Steyn, who is aiming to make a record fourth World Cup appearance for the Springboks, was forced to undergo surgery to a knee injury he suffered during a Currie Cup match against the Vodacom Bulls in March.
According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, Jacques Nienaber was asked about the experienced utility back during a press conference on Thursday, but did not elaborate beyond saying that Steyn was not ready.
Also absent from the squad is DHL Stormers lock Salmaan Moerat, who has not played since suffering a knee ligament injury during a Champions Cup match in December.
Rassie Erasmus said that even if Moerat recovers in time for the World Cup, the promising lock could miss out due to a lack of Test experience.
Players based in France and England, such as Handre Pollard, Cheslin Kolbe, Jasper Wiese, Andre Esterhuizen, Warrick Gelant, Vincent Koch and Trevor Nyakane, were not included in the train camp group.
The Top 14 is still ongoing, while Premiership clubs are not obligated to release players outside of the official Test window.
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