Eben Etzebeth has been recalled to the Springbok touring squad ahead of Friday's Nations Championship clash against France, with uncapped flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed returning to South Africa due to a shoulder niggle.
The most capped Springbok in history with 147 Test appearances, Etzebeth was initially ruled out of the second phase of the Nations Championship due to injury. His recovery has now progressed sufficiently for Rassie Erasmus to summon the experienced lock to France, where he will arrive on Monday.
Ahmed, 20, was one of six uncapped players in the touring squad but missed most of the training sessions in the build-up to Saturday's 66-7 victory against Italy in Turin. The shoulder complaint has now forced him out of contention for the remaining fixtures.
"We are very sad for Yaqeen after earning his first call-up to the national squad, but we feel it will be best for him to return to South Africa to recover," Erasmus said on Sunday. "After being with us for a week, he has a good idea of how we operate and has more insight into our systems, and we are confident that the experience will benefit him immensely as a player going forward."
The head coach emphasised the rationale behind opting for a forward rather than another backline replacement. "With enough backline cover in the squad and a number of versatile players among them, we opted to call up Eben, who will not only bring vast experience to the group at this vital stage of the Nations Championship, but also valuable leadership skills, especially with two important matches against France and Ireland in the next two weeks before the Finals Weekend of the tournament."
Etzebeth's return bolsters a forward pack that will face stern examination at the Stade de France on Friday evening, with Ireland to follow the week after. Erasmus will name his match-23 for the France fixture on Monday, with the lock's availability likely to influence selection in the second row. The Test kicks off at 22h10 South African time.