Rassie Erasmus has added Stormers loosehead prop Ntuthuko Mchunu to the Springboks squad in Johannesburg, bringing the training group to 44 players ahead of the August 8 Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires and the four-match Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks.
Mchunu, 27, was among five players released to their franchises when Erasmus named his initial 43-man squad last week — alongside Stormers team-mates Evan Roos and Andre-Hugo Venter, Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier and Sharks wing Jaco Williams. At the time, Erasmus framed those releases as an opportunity for the players to face the All Blacks in midweek franchise matches, keeping them in contention for the RGR squad. Mchunu's recall ahead of the others suggests he has moved up the pecking order at loosehead.
His return to the group is also tied to the injury status of Ox Nche, who was forced off inside the first 10 minutes of the Nations Championship opener against England with a knee complaint. Erasmus has indicated Nche will be fit for the All Blacks series, but the setback clearly influenced the decision to bring Mchunu — who earned his fourth cap against Scotland on July 11 — back into camp.
Erasmus is set to name the travelling squad for Buenos Aires later this week, with the Argentina-bound group and management departing in two groups on Saturday. The players remaining in Johannesburg will continue preparations for the All Blacks under a dedicated coaching and medical staff.