Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has called up prop Ntuthuko Mchunu to the national squad as South Africa shifts back into Test match mode following a week-long break.
The squad assembled in Johannesburg on Sunday evening and resumed their on-field preparations on Monday. They will be joined by Mchunu, the DHL Stormers front-rower who earned his fourth Test cap against Scotland during the Nations Championship earlier this month. His inclusion increases the size of Erasmus’ training group to 44 players.
The Johannesburg camp marks the beginning of a crucial preparation block. The Springboks are gearing up for a one-off Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, 8 August, closely followed by the highly anticipated "Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry" (RGR) series against New Zealand.
Erasmus is expected to name his travelling squad to Argentina on Saturday this week. The selected players and management staff will depart for South America in two separate groups on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the remaining contingent of players will stay behind at their training base in Johannesburg. They will focus ahead on the home matches against the All Blacks under the guidance of a select group of coaches, medical staff, and management members.