Western Province and the Blue Bulls were the big winners when SA Rugby announced on Tuesday which Springboks have been released for Currie Cup duty this weekend.
WP coach John Dobson is able to call on five reinforcements – Damian Willemse, Bongi Mbonambi, Wilco Louw, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Ruhan Nel – for Saturday evening’s clash against the Bulls in Pretoria (5.15pm kickoff).
Meanwhile, Bulls mentor Pote Human will get back four men with a point to prove as well after they hardly got any game time with the Boks: Embrose Papier, Marco van Staden, Ivan van Zyl and Trevor Nyakane.
The Lions will also be delighted to have Bok flyer Aphiwe Dyantyi, playmaker Elton Jantjies and hard-running centre Lionel Mapoe available for their clash against the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium on Friday night (7pm).
Jantjies and Mapoe have played in Japan over the last few years, so will be eager to get their hands on the Currie Cup trophy once more.
The Sharks have benefited as well, with powerful wing Sbu Nkosi sure to line-up against Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday (3pm).
13 Boks Back in Currie Cup
Blue Bulls: Trevor Nyakane, Marco van Staden, Ivan van Zyl, Embrose Papier
Sharks: Sbu Nkosi
Western Province: Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Damian Willemse, Ruhan Nel
Golden Lions: Elton Jantjies, Lionel Mapoe, Aphiwe Dyantyi
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