The Springboks will be without a star hooker for Saturday’s Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks at Eden Park.
SA Rugby revealed on Sunday that Bongi Mbonambi had remained behind in South Africa earlier this week to attend to family matters.
Meanwhile, Faf de Klerk will join the Boks in New Zealand as additional scrumhalf cover. His inclusion increases the size of the squad to 36 players.
The Boks also face the All Blacks in Wellington on 13 September.
KEO: Boks primed to end Eden Park curse
Springbok squad:
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese.
Backs: Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse.
Photo: Roberto Bregani/Gallo Images
The post Boks lose hooker for Eden Park clash appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.