According to a new report, the Springboks will be able to count on their Japan-based stars for their final Test of the year against England at Twickenham.
The clash, which is scheduled for 26 November, falls outside of World Rugby’s Test window, meaning clubs are not obliged to release their international players.
As a result, the Boks could be significantly weakened for the match.
It was initially thought the squad would have to be made up of entirely South African-based players; however, it looks like the Boks’ Japanese contingent will indeed be available for the clash, according to Sunday newspaper Rapport.
Should that be the case, it will no doubt come as a great relief to Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber, who will have the likes of Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) and Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles) to call upon.
Meanwhile, the report also claims a final decision is still to be made on the availability of the France-based Boks for the Twickenham Test.
Should they become available as well, it could also see players like Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Rynhardt Elstadt (Toulouse), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) and Trevor Nyakane and Warrick Gelant (Racing 92) feature.
Players based in the UK and Ireland look certain to be unavailable. This includes Vincent Koch (Wasps), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) and Duane Vermeulen (Ulster).
The Springboks will play Tests against Ireland, France, Italy and England on their end-of-year tour, while an SA ‘A’ team will play midweek fixtures against Munster and Bristol Bears.
Springboks’ End-of-Year Tour
Saturday, 5 November: South Africa v Ireland (Dublin – Aviva Stadium)
Thursday, 10 November: SA A v Munster (venue TBA)
Saturday, 12 November: South Africa v France (Marseille – Stade Vélodrome)
Thursday, 17 November: SA A v Bristol Bears (Bristol – Ashton Gate)
Saturday, 19 November: South Africa v Italy (Luigi Ferraris Stadium, Genoa)
Saturday, 26 November: South Africa v England (London – Twickenham)
