Wednesday Afternoon Round Up

Lambie and Le Roux back in the Springbok squad

Experienced backs Pat Lambie and Willie le Roux were included in a 31-man Springbok squad for the two remaining home Tests in the Rugby Championship, in October against Australia and New Zealand.

Lambie has returned to full fitness after he was concussed in the first match of the three Test series against Ireland in June. Le Roux also last saw Springbok action against Ireland in June and joins the Springboks from Japanese club Canon Eagles.

SA squad for the Rugby Championship: 

1 Willem Alberts

2 Damian de Allende

3 Lood de Jager

4 Juan de Jongh

5 Faf de Klerk

6 Pieter-Steph du Toit

7 Eben Etzebeth

8 Johan Goosen

9 Bryan Habana (vice-captain)

10 Francois Hougaard

11 Elton Jantjies

12 Steven Kitshoff

13 Vincent Koch

14 Jaco Kriel

15 Jesse Kriel

16 Patrick Lambie

17 Willie le Roux

18 Francois Louw

19 Lionel Mapoe

20 Malcolm Marx

21 Bongi Mbonambi

22 Oupa Mohoje

23 Franco Mostert

24 Tendai Mtawarira

25 Lwazi Mvovo

26 Trevor Nyakane

27 Rudy Paige

28 Julian Redelinghuys

29 Morné Steyn

30 Adriaan Strauss (captain)

31 Warren Whiteley

Barakat to leave Ulster in December

Ulster Rugby Assistant Coach, Joe Barakat, will leave the Province in December to take up the position of Senior Assistant Coach at Western Force in his native Australia.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank Ulster Rugby, and particularly Les (Kiss), for the opportunity to come here and be involved in such a fantastic organisation. I can't speak highly enough of the coaching group and the players here at Ulster - there is so much talent and ambition here and that will only lead to positive things in the future," commented Barakat on his decision.

"This opportunity with Western Force is a chance for me to take on a senior position at a Super Rugby franchise, while also bringing me back to be closer to my family, having spent a long time away from home.

"Until I leave in December I will be fully committed to the Ulster cause and will do everything in my power to ensure that we are well-placed going into the business end of the season.”

Barakat arrived at Ulster in the summer of 2015 on a two-year contract and he is primarily responsible for defensive strategy and the contact zone.

James signs new Blues deal

Tom James has signed a new long-term deal with Cardiff Blues after his impressive start to the PRO12 season.

The wing returned to BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park ahead of the 2015-16 campaign, following two seasons with Exeter Chiefs.

He burst onto the regional scene in 2006 and has since made 136 appearances for the Blues.

Tuitavake signs with Saints

Northampton Saints have today signed Nafi Tuitavake from Narbonne.

The Tongan international was a regular for the Crusaders in Super Rugby for two years and North Harbour in the ITM Cup for close to a decade.

He is a graduate of the same 2009 IRB Junior World Championships-winning All Blacks team as Ken Pisi, Aaron Cruden and Zac Guildford.