South Africa have added Schalk Brits to their squad for the remainder of their Test series against England – a month after the veteran Saracens hooker retired.

Brits, who was in South Africa on holiday and was at the first Test as a fan, retired after Saracens’ Premiership final victory over Exeter but has unexpectedly been called up by Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus.

“Schalk has extensive inside knowledge and plenty of experience from playing for Saracens in the English and European conditions,” Erasmus said. “We are busy with building experience, continuity and capacity towards the Rugby World Cup, so we want out young players rubbing shoulders with experienced players.”

England have summoned uncapped Worcester hooker Jack Singleton to join their tour of South Africa as injury cover for Luke Cowan-Dickie.

Cowan-Dickie suffered a hamstring problem during Saturday’s 42-39 defeat at Ellis Park to place him in doubt for the second Test against the Springboks in Bloemfontein.

The Exeter front row supplied back up to Jamie George in the series opener and if he is ruled out, Singleton will be promoted straight on to the bench.

“Luke has a tight hamstring so Jack Singleton is coming as a precaution,” defence coach Paul Gustard said. “We’ve only got two hookers in camp so we have to be careful and have someone else coming over. Luke hasn’t been ruled out of Saturday yet.”

England were unable to provide a definitive update on Joe Launchbury, who sat out the firsts Test because of a calf injury.

Saracens pair Maro Itoje and Nick Isiekwe were the starting second rows in Johannesburg but the latter was the victim of a tactical substitution shortly before
half-time to place his role in the remainder of the tour in doubt.

Uncapped Jonny Hill is the only other specialist lock in the squad with Brad Shields an option in the position if Launchbury is ruled out once again.