Bakkies Botha unpacks Springbok squad: 'It's mind-blowing how much depth SA's got'

It's hard to shock a man like Bakkies Botha, who has lived, breathed and won it all in South African rugby.

But even he was astounded at the level of depth Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber had at his disposal after naming his 43-member international squad last Saturday.

Despite chief absentee Duane Vermeulen's reported injury absence, Nienaber was able to call on a slew of capable back-rowers, such as novices Evan Roos and Elrigh Louw, to add to Marcell Coetzee's return, plus Jasper Wiese and Kwagga Smith's presence.