South Africa’s Steyn makes Scotland squad for Six Nations

Kyle Steyn is one of four South Africans selected in Scotland’s playing squad for the upcoming 2023 Six Nations campaign.

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When Scottish head coach Gregor Townsend named his squad for the Six Nations, it came as no surprise when South African-born and bred quartet — Steyn, Duhan van der Merwe, WP Nel and Pierre Schoeman — were included in the 40-man strong squad.

Front rowers Nel and Schoeman have 50 Test caps and 16 Tests caps, respectively, for Scotland; while the hard-running Van der Merwe has made 23 Test appearances for his adopted nation so far and centre Steyn chalked up just five appearances to date.

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Townsend has called up four uncapped players, Munster flyhalf Ben Healy, Bath wing Ruaridh McConnochie, Glasgow Warriors centre Stafford McDowall and Leicester Tigers lock Cameron Henderson, who are all set to play a part in the Scots’ Six Nations title bid.

Elsewhere, experienced pair Sean Maitland and Huw Jones, who started his career at the Stormers in Cape Town, make their returns to the international fold having last featured in the 2021 Six Nations Championship.

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FULL SCOTLAND SQUAD FOR SIX NATIONS: 

Backs — Chris Harris (Gloucester/ENG), Ben Healy (Munster/IRL), Stuart Hogg (Exeter/ENG), George Horne (Glasgow), Huw Jones (Glasgow), Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh), Sean Maitland (Saracens/ENG), Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath/ENG), Stafford McDowell (Glasgow), Ali Price, Cameron Redpath (Bath/ENG), Finn Russell (Racing 92/FRA), Ollie Smith (Glasgow), Kyle Steyn (Glasgow), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (London Irish/ENG). 

Forwards — Ewan Ashman (Sale/ENG), Josh Bayliss (Bath/ENG), Simon Berghan (Glasgow), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow), Fraser Brown (Glasgow), Dave Cherry (Edinburgh), Andy Christie (Saracens/ENG), Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Exeter), Richie Gray (Glasgow), Cameron Henderson (Leicester/ENG), WP Nel (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh, capt), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Javan Sebastian (Scarlets/WAL), Sam Skinner (Edinburgh) Rory Sutherland (Ulster/IRL), George Turner (Glasgow), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh).