Vodacom Bulls loose forward Marco van Staden has been added to the Springbok training group as cover for the injured Siya Kolisi.

Van Staden was initially not invited to the alignment camp in Pretoria, but was called up on Monday and will remain in camp until there is absolute clarity about whether Kolisi – who is nursing a knee injury – will be able to take part in the initial stages of the Rugby Championship.

The 23-year-old Van Staden made two Test appearances in 2018.

The Boks will kick off their shortened Rugby Championship against the Wallabies on 20 July, followed by their clash with the All Blacks in Wellington a week later.

South Africa will then conclude their Championship campaign against Argentina in Salta on 10 August. However, the teams are set to meet again a week later in Pretoria in a World Cup warm-up Test.

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images