GEORGE NEWS - Former Outeniqua High learner Warrick Gelant will be making a return to the Springboks this weekend as he has been called up in place of Jesse Kriel on right wing, to take on Australia in Adelaide.
It will mark his second appearance for the Boks this year, the other having been against Wales in the Castle Lager Incoming Series on 9 July.
Due to injuries it's been a tough few years for Gelant since his appearances for the Boks in their triumphant 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign.
Despite regaining fitness and being in fine form for the Stormers in the 2022 United Rugby Championship, the game against Wales was his first in a Springbok jersey since they took on Canada on 8 October 2019 in the Rugby World Cup group stages.
This can arguably be attributed to Damian Willemse's glowing success at full-back - which is Gelant's usual first-choice position alongside centre - for the Springboks over the past year.
Nonetheless, throughout the course of his career Gelant has garnered a reputation for being a fine utility back with the ability to slot in almost anywhere in the backline and feel right at home.
This skill will come in handy this weekend as he will line up on the right wing in place of Jesse Kriel - who himself replaced Kurt-Lee Arendse, who has been suspended for four weeks after receiving a red card in the first clash against the All Blacks.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber looks forward to having Gelant back in the side this weekend.
"Warrick was in good form for the DHL Stormers earlier this season and he has been working hard at training, so we thought it would be good to give him a run on the wing.
"He also combined well with Damian Willemse in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, so we are excited to see what they offer us in the match," Nienaber said at the squad announcement on Monday 22 August.
Gelant will undoubtedly be chomping at the bit to perform well against the Wallabies on Saturday, and Knysna rugby fans will have their eyes glued to the screen with hopes of a promising return for Warrick Gelant.
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