Potgieter back for Waratahs

Cape Town - Waratahs loose forward Jacques Potgieter has been passed fit to make their Super Rugby trip to South Africa.

He returns to the squad after missing the past two weekends of action with a bruised sternum.

On the eve of their tour, the 2014 Super Rugby champions were also dealt a significant blow to their title defence after the suspension of two key forwards.

Hooker Tolu Latu and towering Test lock Will Skelton were suspended for four and two weeks respectively on Monday for their part in a lifting tackle on Crusaders and All Blacks lock, Sam Whitelock.

SANZAR’s finding means that the Waratahs headed to South Africa without their first two first-choice hookers with Test hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau being rested after two concussions this season.

This means that 22-year-old hooker Hugh Roach, who has played just a handful of games, will start for the Waratahs and Manly hooker Dave Porecki will also join the touring party.

Skelton, like Latu’s ruling, will be challenged by the Waratahs and has travelled with the team in anticipation of a favourable ruling.

But if the suspension stands, his absence will be slightly lessened by the inclusion of former Wallaby Dean Mumm, who returns to the Waratahs after playing for and captaining English club Exeter since 2012.

The Waratahs will face the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday, before concluding their tour against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein the following week.

Waratahs tour squad to South Africa:

1. Adam Ashley-Cooper

2. Kurtley Beale

3. Peter Betham

4. Matthew Carraro

5. Mitchell Chapman

6. Dave Dennis

7. Israel Folau

8. Bernard Foley

9. Stephen Hoiles

10. Michael Hooper

11. Rob Horne

12. Sekope Kepu

13. Dave Porecki

14. Pat McCutcheon

15. Brendan McKibbin

16. Wycliff Palu

17. Nick Phipps

18. Jacques Potgieter

19. Hugh Roach

20. Ben Robinson

21. Paddy Ryan

22. Will Skelton

23. Jeremy Tilse

24. Taqele Naiyaravoro

25. Jack Dempsey

26. Dean Mumm