Rugby-Boks pick Louw and Roos among eight new caps for 2022 season

There are eight uncapped players in the group in all, the others being prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, locks Ruan Nortje and Salmaan Moerat, utility forward Deon Fourie, scrumhalf Grant Williams, and fullback Kurt-Lee Arendse. There is also a recall for Harlequins centre Andre Esterhuizen, who last played for the Boks in 2019, but there is no place for veterans Duane Vermeulen and Frans Steyn.

South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber has named exciting young loose-forwards Elrigh Louw and Evan Roos in an expanded 43-man squad that will cover the entire international season, including three tests against Wales in July. Nienaber has taken the unusual step of naming a squad for the full campaign, which suggests there will be plenty of rotation as the Springboks also compete in the Rugby Championship and travel to Europe for the Autumn internationals that includes a meeting with France.

Bulls loose-forward Louw and Stormers number eight Roos have played their way into the squad with outstanding performances for their teams in the United Rugby Championship, and will be on opposite sides in next Saturday's final in Cape Town. There are eight uncapped players in the group in all, the others being prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, locks Ruan Nortje and Salmaan Moerat, utility forward Deon Fourie, scrumhalf Grant Williams, and fullback Kurt-Lee Arendse.

There is also a recall for Harlequins centre Andre Esterhuizen, who last played for the Boks in 2019, but there is no place for veterans Duane Vermeulen and Frans Steyn. The squad has an otherwise familiar look to it, with the majority of the players that lifted the Rugby World Cup in Japan three years ago included.

"Building squad depth is one of the key areas for us, and it is great to see the number of young players who have put up their hands this season, and we are delighted to invite them to the national squad environment," Nienaber said in a media release from South African Rugby. "It is also good to welcome back some of the experienced players who have been part of our structures for a few years now, and I'm confident they will slot back into set-up with ease."

The Boks will hosts Wales for three tests next month, starting in Pretoria on July 2, with matches in Bloemfontein and Cape Town on consecutive weekends after that. South Africa squad:

Props: Thomas du Toit, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane Hookers: Joseph Dweba, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi

Locks: Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortje, Marvin Orie Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marcell Coetzee, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese

Utility forwards: Rynhardt Elstadt, Deon Fourie, Franco Mostert Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Herschel Jantjies, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams.

Flyhalves: Elton Jantjies, Handre Pollard Centres: Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel

Outside Backs: Aphelele Fassi, Warrick Gelant, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi Utility Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian Willemse