Steyn dropped from Boks' Euro Tour squad

Oct 22, 2016 - 6:33 PM South Africa have dropped veteran five-eighth Morne Steyn for their tour of Europe next month and included four uncapped players for tests against England, Italy and Wales.

Coach Allister Coetzee has drafted in flanks Roelof Smit and Jean-Luc du Preez, wing Sergeal Petersen and centre Francois Venter, with a number of established players missing out.

Steyn is one of those, paying the price perhaps for a static performance in the record 57-15 home loss to New Zealand in the Rugby Championship earlier this month, while Francois Hougaard, Juan de Jongh, Francois Louw and Julian Redelinghuys are all injured.

Other players not considered include Jan Serfontein, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Marcell Coetzee, Coenie Oosthuizen and Bismarck du Plessis.

Wings Ruan Combrinck, JP Pietersen and 2007 Rugby World-winning prop Jannie du Plessis are all returning.

"It is very pleasing to see the return JP and Jannie as their experience will be vital for us, as well as Ruan, who is now fully fit again," Coetzee said on Saturday.

"They are welcome additions to the squad because we have a long list of injured players who are unfortunately not available for selection.

"We prefer to see it as an amazing opportunity for the players selected in the squad. We are looking forward to turn things around on tour against quality opposition."

The Springboks will play England at Twickenham on November 12, before clashing with Italy and Wales on consecutive Saturdays after that.

Squad to face England, Italy and Wales:

Forwards: Willem Alberts, Lood de Jager, Jannie du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Jaco Kriel, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Oupa Mohoje, Roelof Smit, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Warren Whiteley.

Backs: Ruan Combrinck, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Johan Goosen, Bryan Habana, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Pat Lambie, Willie le Roux, Lionel Mapoe, Rudy Paige, Sergeal Petersen, JP Pietersen, Francois Venter.

Source: AAP