South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has named six uncapped players in a 37-man Springbok squad for November away Nations Championship clashes with Italy, France and Ireland, with experienced stars Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen, and Handre Pollard out injured.
Rising star Stormers flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed and Bulls counterpart Luan Giliomee were called up as cover in the absence of Pollard. Sebastian de Klerk, Markus Muller, Riley Norton, and Emmanuel Tshituka also earned call-ups.
"We've had all six players on our radar for a while now, and they've delivered consistently for their respective franchises in the last two seasons, so they thoroughly deserve their call-ups," said Erasmus.
"We've seen what most of them are capable of first-hand in our season-opening matches and at our training camps, so we are delighted to see what they have to offer on this tour.
"Building squad depth has always been one of our key pillars as a team, and all those players have shown that they have what it takes to compete at top franchise level, while Riley, Luan and Yaqeen were also part of Junior Springbok squads that have won the Junior World Championship, and Luan also played for the Blitzboks, so they know what it takes to perform at top level.
"There is no doubt facing some of the top teams in elite international rugby will be a completely different challenge, but we have full faith in them to do their best on tour."
Of the injured senior players, Erasmus said: "It's always sad to lose players of that calibre, but we are pleased with the cover we have in those positions, and it also offers other players the opportunity to put up their hands.
"The majority of the players in this group have been with us for most of the season and know what our expectations are, and also what to anticipate at this level, so we are excited about the group we've selected for this vital leg of the season."
The Springboks will arrive in Italy before facing the Azzurri on Nov. 7. Subsequently, they will visit France at the Stade de France on Nov. 13 and Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Nov. 21.
Springboks squad for November Tests
Props: Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche (both Sharks), Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen (all Stormers), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls).
Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Salmaan Moerat (Stade Rochelais), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears), Riley Norton (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi (both Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Emmanuel Tshituka (Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Marco van Staden (Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Morne van den Berg (10bet Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers).
Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (both Stormers), Luan Giliomee (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Markus Muller (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Bulls).
Outside backs: Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe (all Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Damian Willemse (Stormers).