Vodacom Stormers’ Britz gets Bok call-up

On Sunday national team manager Zola Yeye and coach Jake White announced the names of three players to join the squad for the two remaining games of the year-end tour.

The Springboks play the second of two tests against England at Twickenham on Saturday. Centre Jean de Villiers is the only other Vodacom Stormers’ representative in the national squad.

Britz, Kabamba Floors and Wikus van Heerden are expected in camp late on Monday, and start with preparations on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Butch James, Jacques Cronje and Pierre Spies are on their way back home, due to knee injuries. Juan Smith’s calf injury is being monitored and treated in camp.

Britz earns his recall on the back of a strong season for Vodacom Western Province in the Currie Cup competition. He formed an excellent second row partnership with Francois van der Merwe in the absence of Andries Bekker and Ross Skeate, who was the first-choice locks in the Vodacom Super 14.

The former Cheetah stalwart earned rave reviews from rugby scribes and WP coach Kobus van der Merwe punted him for higher honours. Britz not only excelled at lock, but also impressed in the games he played at flank.

The lanky 28-year old would not be a stranger to his new environment when he arrives on Monday. Britz made his Springbok debut on 12 June 2004 at the age of 26. He was selected as a reserve for the test against Ireland at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The last of his eleven tests was at the Basil Kenyon Stadium in East London, when he started at lock against Uruguay.