Sharks lock joins Boks

Stephan Lewies has been called up to the Springbok training camp after Jean de Villiers was ruled out with a knee injury.

De Villiers was a late withdrawal from the Stormers team for their Super Rugby match against the Cheetahs in Cape Town on Saturday. He experienced some discomfort in his knee and will undergo a scope in Cape Town on Sunday to determine the full extent of the injury.

'We’ve got good depth in the midfield, but due to injury concerns at lock, we’ve decided to invite Stephan to our camp,' said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer. 'Stephan is playing in his first Super Rugby campaign and has been impressive for the Sharks this year, and was one of their stars on their recent Australasian tour.

'Jean plays a very important role in our team and we decided he should get proper treatment as soon as possible, which will hopefully ensure he returns to the squad sooner rather than later. At this stage, we’re not sure how long Jean will be out but we will ensure he gets the best medical treatment so that he can play as soon as possible.'

The 36 players invited to the Springbok training camp will arrive in Durban on Sunday. The camp concludes on Wednesday morning, when the players will return to their franchises for the final round of Super Rugby before the June Test break.

Revised Springbok training squad:

Forwards (21): Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Cheetahs), Marcel van der Merwe (Bulls), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Adriaan Strauss (Cheetahs), Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), Lood de Jager (Cheetahs), Victor Matfield (Bulls), Flip van der Merwe (Bulls), Stephan Lewies (Sharks), Heinrich Brüssow (Cheetahs), Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Stormers), Willem Alberts (Sharks), Jacques du Plessis (Bulls), Teboho Mohoje (Cheetahs), Duane Vermeulen (Stormers), Schalk Burger (Stormers).

Backs (15): Fourie du Preez (Suntory, Japan), Francois Hougaard (Bulls), Johan Goosen (Cheetahs), Marnitz Boshoff (Lions), Damian de Allende (Stormers), Jan Serfontein (Bulls), Juan de Jongh (Stormers), JJ Engelbrecht (Bulls), S’bura Sithole (Sharks), Frans Steyn (Sharks), Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks), Bjorn Basson (Bulls), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Cornal Hendricks (Cheetahs), Willie le Roux (Cheetahs).

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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