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Rassie Erasmus brings Boan Venter in from the cold, trims Springbok squad to 45

SPRINGBOK squad in training in Johannedburg this week before coach Rassie Erasmus cut the pack to 45. | Itumenelg English/ Independent Newspapers Image: Itumenelg English/ Independent Newspapers Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has sprung a surprise by calling up former Cheetahs prop Boan Venter to the Springbok squad. The 28-year-old loosehead prop is in his fourth year with Edinburgh and has impressed for the Scottish side in the United Rugby Championship. Venter is the latest addition to the Boks quad that Erasmus on Sunday trimmed from 55 to 45 following the completion of the first week of training in Johannesburg for the forthcoming international season. With props Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu amongst six players released from the initial 55-man squad due to injuries, Erasmus drafted in Venter – a member of the Junior Springbok training group in 2017. THE Springboks in training in Johannesburg. | Itumenelg English/ Independent Newspapers Image: Itumenelg English/ Independent Newspapers Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The other injured players released from the squad are Lukhanyo Am (centre), Pieter-Steph du Toit (utility forward), Cameron Hanekom, and Juarno Augustus (both No 8s), while another five players – Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), Jordan Hendrikse (flyhalf), Quan Horn (fullback), Renzo du Plessis (flanker), and Ntokozo Makhaza (utility back) – have also been released to their unions. The majority of the squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon to continue their preparations for the season, while the Bulls players, who battled it out with Leinster in the URC final on Saturday, will join their teammates on Monday evening, and RG Snyman on Tuesday afternoon. The Premiership final players, Handre Pollard and Thomas du Toit, meanwhile, will report for duty this Monday and next Monday (initially for three days) respectively, while Venter will join the squad on Sunday 29 June. 'Our first week of training went well, and it offered us a chance to assess our depth and measure the level at which the players are currently, with an eye on the international season,' said Erasmus. 'We also took stock of the injuries and determined in which positions we needed cover, as well as those in which we have sufficient cover. 'There are a number of players out with long-term injuries, while others are set to return from injury in the next few weeks or months, so they will complete their rehabilitation at their clubs and franchises. 'In terms of the other players released, we feel we have good cover in those positions at this stage, but they are all on standby to join us at any time if we need to call on them.' THE Springboks in training in Johannesburg. | Itumenelg English/ Independent Newspapers Image: Itumenelg English/ Independent Newspapers