­
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals

SA Rugbymag

South African rugby news, fixtures, results, video, interviews, and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers/Western Province, Sharks, Cheetahs, Kings and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals

You are here: Home ∼ Aplon recall likely, Mostert in limbo

Aplon recall likely, Mostert in limbo

Gio Aplon playing for Toyota Verblitz Gio Aplon
Published on October 26, 2018 | Leave a response

Rassie Erasmus says Gio Aplon may prove a useful alternative to Springbok fullback Willie le Roux on the four-Test tour of Europe this November. JON CARDINELLI reports from Stellenbosch.

Erasmus will name his squad for the tour of Europe after the Currie Cup final on Saturday. Aplon, who hasn’t played for the Boks since 2012, is likely to be included as the Bok coach aims to bolster the group’s collective experience.

Speaking to the media from the Bok base in Stellenbosch on Friday, Erasmus suggested that Aplon will indeed make the cut. The 36-year-old has been in good form for Grenoble in France and for Toyota Verblitz in Japan. Damian Willemse may start against England at Twickenham next week, but it’s clear that Erasmus wants another alternative.

Le Roux and other Europe-based players, such as Faf de Klerk and Francois Louw, will not be available for the game against England, as it falls outside the Test window. Erasmus said on Friday that there is no clarity regarding Franco Mostert’s availability, with Gloucester and the Lions locked in a dispute over the player’s services.

Erasmus will have to look at alternatives in those positions. Aplon may come into consideration.

‘With Willie not available for some of the games, we wanted some experience at the back and someone with a strong left boot. We have a lot of exciting young talent, but not a lot of old heads. He’s a good fit in that respect,’ Erasmus said.

At this stage, there is no clarity regarding the availability of some players during the official window. There is no guarantee that the players in question will be released by their clubs to play for the Boks.

‘We could enforce World Rugby’s Regulation 9 for every single game that falls inside the international window,’ said Erasmus. ‘However, there is a human factor to consider. We have a good relationship with the [overseas] clubs at this stage too, and we want to be fair.

‘It’s a balancing act. I’d like someone like Faf de Klerk to go to the 2019 World Cup with more caps. However, I have to give other guys a chance to see what they can do at this level.

‘I can’t give an answer on Franco Mostert at the moment,’ Erasmus added. ‘If he’s a Gloucester player then obviously he’s not available for the Test against England. If he’s a Lions player then he is available. The bonus is that he’s played a lot of Test rugby so he could slot right in if available.’

ALSO READ: ‘Willemse isn’t being messed around’

The Bok coach added that he is following a few other players based in Europe, and may consider them in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup.

‘I’m following guys like Jan Serfontein, Cobus Reinach, Bismarck du Plessis and Frans Steyn. Pat Lambie will be back in February. Anyone who is playing over there, who is in form and who fits will come into consideration.’

VIDEO: @Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus on the challenge expected from England in next Saturday’s Test at Twickenham. pic.twitter.com/Br7sQDsqeu

— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) October 26, 2018

Posted in Springboks, Test Rugby, Top headlines Tagged Franco Mostert, Gio Aplon, Springboks

Post by Jon Cardinelli

Jon Cardinelli

MPU #1 - (DESKTOP SIZE 300x250 / MOBILE SIZE 320x50, 300x250, 320x100)
← Previous Next →

Ratings: Du Toit one of the few standouts for Boks

The Boks faded in the second half to slump to a 22-17...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Duhan should be celebrated for his Lions success

Duhan van der Merwe’s achievements should be truly appreciated by South Africans,...

JdV: Boks-Lions have everything to play for

Performing in empty stadiums will be a key factor in the series...

Dynamic Dayimani: Forward to back

While he has been signed as an ‘edge’ forward, Hacjivah Dayimani could...

Boks have muscle memory to rely on

Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber are experts at finding solutions to tricky...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Column: When context is needed

As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Team graphics: Springboks vs B&I Lions
  • Boks vs Lions (1st Test): Predict and WIN!
  • Lions team announcement: Duhan to front Boks
  • Teams: SA A vs Bulls
Boks

Why the Boks should be bullish

There is good reason for the Springboks to enter the British & Irish Lions series with confidence, writes MARK KEOHANE in the latest SA Rugby magazine.

  • Watch: Did Gatland’s words influence Jonker?


COVID-19 Corona Virus
South African Resource Portal

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy

TOURNAMENTS

    • Rugby Championship
    • Super Rugby
    • Currie Cup
    • Varsity Cup
    • Gold Cup
    • Schools
    • Six Nations
    • Champions Cup
    • World Cup

OPINION

  • Mallett on SuperSport
  • Cardinelli column
  • Lewis column
  • Xabanisa column
  • Borchardt column
  • Superbru

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals
×