Meyer freshens Springboks squad

South Africa head coach Heyneke Meyer has named no less than nine uncapped players in his 32-man squad to face England this month.

The Springboks are preparing for a three-match series against England, who following a poor World Cup in New Zealand last year performed well to finish second in the Six Nations this season. England will take on a new-look South Africa outfit with forwards Marcell Coetzee, Jacques Potgieter, Eben Etzebeth, Juandre Kruger, Coenie Oosthuizen and Franco van der Merwe have all being given the nod whilst backs Elton Jantjies, JJ Engelbrecht, and Jano Vermaak have also earned a call-up. Meyer is looking forward to the upcoming series and believes the uncapped players will add a freshness to the squad and push the more experienced veterans forward. He said: "We were always looking to start the season with an experienced squad to face England, but injuries to certain players and the non-availability of others have made it difficult. "What we've lost in experience, we've made up in passion and desire to play for the Springboks."