Tri-Nations
Van der Linde and Mostert drafted in by Boks
ESPNscrum Staff
July 8, 2011

Stormers prop CJ van der Linde and Sharks lock Gerhard Mostert have been added to the Springboks squad for their opening two Tri-Nations clashes.

World Cup-winner Van der Linde was called in for further medical assessments on a groin injury that had seen the 69-Test veteran overlooked for inclusion in the Springboks' preliminary Rugby World Cup squad. Mostert has been added as cover for Johann Muller who has been troubled by a hamstring injury. Both will join the rest of the squad in Johannesburg where they are preparing for the matches against Australia in Sydney (July 23) and New Zealand in Wellington (July 30).

"We've been hard hit by injury in several positions and although we've not made any decisions we're preparing for all eventualities," said Springbok coach Peter de Villiers. "CJ has had medical opinion that says he does not require an operation on his groin injury and we will assess him in training over the next couple of days. We have a number of injuries at prop and have very little experienced cover but we won't compromise on his wellbeing if he is not right in our opinion.

"Johann is struggling with the hamstring he injured in Cape Town. We'll continue to monitor him before making a decision on whether he can travel later this week. Gerhard Mostert is a player I have long admired and he was in the selectors' thinking before this group was named."

Mostert was included in De Villiers' first Springbok training group in 2008 as a relatively unknown 22-year-old but has been hampered by intermittent injuries over the intervening seasons. He has forced his way into contention in 2011 with some strong performances for the Sharks in the second half of the Super Rugby season.

South Africa squad for Tri-Nations tour:

Backs: Gio Aplon, Bjorn Basson, Juan de Jongh, Adrian Jacobs, Elton Jantjies, Patrick Lambie, Charl McLeod, Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, Morne Steyn

Forwards: Heinrich Brüssow, Jean Deysel, Dean Greyling, Alistair Hargreaves, Ryan Kankowski, Werner Kruger, Ashley Johnson, Gerhard Mostert, Johann Muller, Coenie Oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (captain), Deon Stegmann, Adriaan Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe

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