Lock Flip van der Merwe has been called up to the Springbok squad after an injury to captain Victor Matfield.

Although Van der Merwe was believed to have made himself unavailable for selection, with a contractual issue reported to be the cause of that stance, Bok coach Heyneke Meyer said he had enjoyed productive discussions with the second rower.

‘Flip is very experienced and can cover both lock positions, so it made sense to proactively assess our options and bring him in.

‘We’ve had a great discussion and he has made himself available to play for the Springboks, which I’m very grateful for. Flip has always put his body on the line for the Boks and it will be great to have him back in the fold.’

With Matfield having suffered a hamstring injury against the Wallabies on Saturday, the Boks have been left with just three fit locks in the squad.

Pieter-Steph du Toit will also join the squad in Johannesburg on Monday and his progress will be reassessed, with the young lock coming to the end of his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.

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