Sharks rookie called up to Bok camp

Sharks lock Pieter Steph du Toit, a member of the wider South African Under-20 squad, has been called up to the Springbok Planning Camp in Pretoria.

Du Toit played for the SA U20s in their first international against the touring Argentina team last Saturday after which he was called up by the Sharks for Super Rugby duty, where he made his debut against the Chiefs last weekend.

The 19-year-old Sharks lock joined the Springbok Planning Camp in Pretoria on Monday.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer explained Du Toit's call-up: "I've rated Pieter Steph highly since I first saw him play at the Craven Week and after his selection for the Sharks, we saw it as an ideal opportunity to invite him to the camp. I also discussed the matter with national selector Ian McIntosh.

"I've said from the start that age would not be a determining factor when I select a team and bringing in someone like Pieter Steph gives me the ideal opportunity to assess one of our best young players."

The final Springbok Planning Camp takes place in Cape Town next week with predominantly players from the Stormers. The names of the invited players will be released at the conclusion of the current camp.