Springboks recall Saracens star Schalk Brits

Saracens hooker Schalk Brits has been recalled to the South Africa squad for their forthcoming tour of Europe - but Bryan Habana has been ruled out through injury.

Brits - who has won three caps - last played for the Springboks in 2008 but he has been one of the best players in the Aviva Premiership in the last few years and with first choice No 2 Bismarck du Plessis out through injury, he has earned another chance.
Coach Heyneke Meyer will be without superstar winger Habana who suffered a knee injury in Saturday's Currie Cup final.
The Springboks also travel without the likes of Francois Steyn, Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussow, who are all injured.
Meyer has named five uncapped players in his 31-man squad: wing Raymond Rhule, scrum-half Jano Vermaak, second row Franco van der Merwe, utility back Lionel Mapoe and flanker Arno Botha.
Free State Cheetahs starlet Rhule is one to watch - he was one of the standout players in South Africa's victory in the IRB Junior World Championship earlier this year.
Wing JP Pietersen and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle are recalled after missing the Rugby Championship through injury.
Toulouse prop Gurthro Steenkamp, Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar and Bath openside Francois Louw are other Europe-based players included.

Settled core

"We've got a settled core of players that did the job during the England series and Rugby Championship and we decided to stick with them," said Meyer.
"Obviously losing so many players to injury, the latest being Bryan, makes it difficult, but this now provides opportunities for other players."

South Africa play Ireland on November 10, followed by Scotland and England.
Backs: Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (capt), Francois Hougaard, Elton Jantjies, Zane Kirchner, Patrick Lambie, Lionel Mapoe, Lwazi Mvovo, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Raymond Rhule, Morne Steyn, Jaco Taute, Jano Vermaak

Forwards: Willem Alberts, Arno Botha, Schalk Brits, Pat Cilliers, Marcell Coetzee, Eben Etzebeth, Juandre Kruger, CJ van der Linde, Francois Louw, Flip van der Merwe, Franco van der Merwe, Tendai Mtawarira, Jannie du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Gurthro Steenkamp, Adriaan Strauss, Duane Vermeulen
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