Cape Town - Utility back Francois Hougaard will join the Springbok training squad in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
Hougaard, who plays for Worcester Warriors in England, is the only overseas-based member of the Springboks’ current Rugby Championship squad.
Hougaard is expected to be utilised at scrumhalf where the Boks are currently also worrying over the fitness of Ross Cronje.
Cronje injured his shoulder playing for the Lions in last Saturday’s Super Rugby final against the Crusaders.
“We will monitor his improvement over the next few days before he is allowed contact,” explained Konrad von Hagen, the Boks’ team doctor.
The other scrumhalf in the Bok squad in Rudy Paige.
Meanwhile wing Courtnall Skosan will also join the squad later in the week after his wife, Semone, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Courtnall Skosan Junior.
The Springboks open their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina in Port Elizabeth next Saturday ( August 19).
Springbok squad:
Forwards (19)
Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Pieter-Steph du Toit (all Stormers), Tendai Mtawarira, Coenie Oosthuizen, Daniel du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Chiliboy Ralepelle (all Sharks), Lizo Gqoboka, Lood de Jager, Trevor Nyakane (all Bulls), Jaco Kriel, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert (all Lions), Uzair Cassiem, Oupa Mohoje (both Cheetahs)
Backs (15)
Warrick Gelant, Jesse Kriel, Rudy Paige, Handre Pollard, Jan Serfontein (all Bulls), Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronje, Elton Jantjies, Courtnall Skosan (all Lions), Damian de Allende, Dillyn Leyds (both Stormers), Raymond Rhule, Francois Venter (both Cheetahs), Curwin Bosch (Sharks), Francois Hougaard (Worcester/ENG)