Esterhuizen, Orie to join Springbok squad in New Zealand

The game takes place next Saturday against Argentina in Salta.

Esterhuizen (centre) and Orie (lock) did not travel with the Bok squad to New Zealand after beating the Wallabies in Johannesburg two weekends ago, and Orie was on Currie Cup duty with the Golden Lions on Saturday.

Following their drawn match in Wellington over the past weekend, the Boks stayed behind in New Zealand rather than fly back to South Africa, which would have resulted in another long haul from Johannesburg to Argentina via Brazil in the next few days.

Rassie Erasmus, the national director of rugby, said on Monday that their travel plans will continue to play a key role in the Springboks’ preparations over the last two weeks of the shortened 2019 campaign.

“Although we did not manage to beat New Zealand, I think we could see the benefit of sending a group of players out to Wellington earlier than the rest of the squad,” said Erasmus.

“We have a good plan in place for the next two weeks, which includes our transfer to Buenos Aires and the match-build for the Pumas Test.”

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Meanwhile, Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk will undergo a graduated return to play process after his failed head injury assessment during the Test at the Westpac Stadium.

A bonus-point win over the Pumas will seal the Rugby Championship campaign for the South Africans.