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Springboks name travelling squad for Mendoza battle

Centre Jesse Kriel has been left out of the Springbok squad for the trip to Argentina. Paul Faith/AFP/Getty Images

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has trimmed his squad by six and will take 28 players to Argentina, where the Springboks will face the Pumas in Mendoza in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Erasmus sprung no surprises when he named the tour party on Sunday, one day after South Africa beat Argentina 34-21 in their opening match of the annual four-nations southern hemisphere competition.

Loose forwards Jean-Luc du Preez and Sikhumbuzo Notshe, lock Marvin Orie, Ross Cronje (scrum-half), Jesse Kriel (centre) and winger Lwazi Mvovo were all dropped, while uncapped flanker Cyle Brink underwent surgery last week to repair damage suffered to his injured knee.

These players are likely to return to the unions this week to play in the second round of the Currie Cup.

Squad

Forwards: Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi (all Stormers), Francois Louw (Bath), Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe (both Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Lions), Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Gloucester), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), RG Snyman (Bulls), Akker van der Merwe (Sharks), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Warren Whiteley (Lions)

Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks), Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Elton Jantjies (Lions), Willie le Roux (Wasps), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Lionel Mapoe (Lions), Embrose Papier, Handré Pollard, Ivan van Zyl (all Bulls), Damian Willemse (Stormers).