Boks bring in Sharks scrumhalf

SQUAD UPDATE: Sharks scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse has been called up to the Springbok squad as additional scrumhalf cover in the build-up to the B&I Lions Series decider on Saturday.

Hendrikse – who was nominated for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship Breakthrough Player of the Tournament award in 2019 following a series of consistently superb performances for the Junior Springboks – will provide additional cover in the specialist position, where he joins Faf de Klerk, Herschel Jantjies and Cobus Reinach in the squad.

“Jaden is a talented player, and he has been in SA Rugby’s junior structures from a young age, so we are excited to see what he can do at this level,” said Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.

“We are in the opening stages of a physically demanding season with the Rugby Championship starting next week, so this will serve as a great opportunity to expose him to our structures and at the same time allow us to expand our depth with an eye on the future.”

The 21-year-old's inclusion comes amid injury doubts around De Klerk.

De Klerk seemed to suffer a leg injury in the second half of the second Test against the British and Irish Lions.

He was eventually replaced by Herschel Jantjies.

Hendrikse has had a number of standout performances for the Sharks this season.

He was also part of the Sharks squad that faced the British and Irish Lions twice in three days.

In his team's second match against the tourists, he was red-carded in the second half for elbowing Liam Williams and he subsequently received a three-match ban.

After the final Test in the Lions Series on Saturday, the Springboks will travel from Cape Town to Nelson Mandela Bay for the opening two Tests of the Rugby Championship, against Argentina on 14 and 21 August respectively.