Fringe Boks cut loose
Five members of the Springbok squad that returned from New Zealand on Monday have been released to their provinces to play in the Currie Cup this weekend.
The released players were all part of the 28-man squad that played Australia and New Zealand on consecutive weekends in the Rugby Championship, but were not part of the match 22 that faced the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday.
They are Sharks hooker Craig Burden, Western Province prop Frans Malherbe, Blue Bulls flank Jacques Potgieter and scrumhalf Jano Vermaak and Sharks wing Lwazi Mvovo.
The sixth player that was not part of the match 22 in Dunedin, Lions prop Pat Cilliers, is currently injured and not available for selection this weekend.
A Springbok squad of 30 players for the final two Tests in the Rugby Championship - on September 29 against Australia at Loftus Versfeld and on October 6 against New Zealand at Soccer City - will be announced at the end of the Currie Cup action on Saturday evening.
The squad will convene in Johannesburg on Sunday evening to start preparations for the Tests against Australia and New Zealand.