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Nick Mallett is pleased to see Jan-Hendrik Wessels picked at hooker for the rest of the Springboks’ Nations Championship, but is worried about the lack of cover in the position.

Former Springboks coach Nick Mallett has expressed concern over South Africa's hooker depth after Rassie Erasmus selected only Malcolm Marx and Jan-Hendrik Wessels as specialists for the November tour. While pleased that 25-year-old Wessels is focusing strictly on hooker rather than playing as a prop hybrid, Mallett called it strange not to include a third specialist hooker in the 37-man squad.
Mallett warned that injuries could force uncontested scrums and disrupt the Springboks' lineouts and mauls. He expects Erasmus to summon a specialist replacement if injuries occur, noting that double World Cup winner Bongi Mbonambi is nearing full fitness with the Stormers.

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