Ulster call up Bok for SA tour

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Ulster wasted no time in recalling their Springbok loose forward for their two-match Pro14 tour of South Africa.

Coetzee, 28, was on the fringe of the Bok World Cup squad when he suffered a cruel blow in a warm-up match against Argentina in Pretoria in August.

He had to undergo surgery to his injured ankle and was expected to be sidelined for 12 weeks.

However, Ulster named him in their 28-man roster just six weeks after he sustained the injury.

Ulster faces the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday, October 5, and Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth a week later.

Sam Carter, Matt Faddes and Jack McGrath - who all earned their first caps for the Irish province last weekend - are also included in the tour squad.

Another off-season signing, Bill Johnston, could win his maiden cap in South Africa.

Meanwhile, the Ulster medical team confirmed there are no new injury concerns - following last Friday's win over Ospreys.

Ulster squad

Forwards: John Andrew, Sam Carter, Marcell Coetzee, Rob Herring, Greg Jones, Ross Kane, Adam McBurney, Kyle McCall, Jack McGrath, Alan O'Connor, Eric O'Sullivan, Tom O'Toole, Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy, Clive Ross, Kieran Treadwell.

Backs: Billy Burns, John Cooney, Angus Curtis, Matt Faddes, Craig Gilroy, James Hume, Bill Johnston, Michael Lowry, Louis Ludik, Rob Lyttle, Luke Marshall, David Shanahan.

Tour schedule:

Saturday, October 5

v Cheetahs

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 18.15(17.15 UK/Irish time)

Saturday, October 12

v Southern Kings

Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Kick-off: 16..00 (15.00 UK/Irish time)