Werner Swanepoel was on the bench for the first four South African tests this season, eventually making his debut in the closing minutes of the Springboks' victory against the British Lions in Johannesburg. He was called in as a late replacement on the South Africa A tour last year and played a crucial role in the 42-26 success against Emerging Wales. He first earned national honours with the under21 side and has also played for South Africa under-23 and SA Universities. Injury to Joost Van Der Westhuizen has catapulted him into the frontline scrum-half role on this tour.