Bloemfontein-born Dries van Schalkwyk is one of two South African’s named in Italy’s squad for the upcoming Six Nations along with Abraham Steyn.

The pair, both playing loose forward, are just two of 20 uncapped players named in Jacques Brunel’s new look squad of 35.

The 30-year-old Van Schalkwyk, who attended St Andrews’ School in Bloemfontein, never really broke into the senior team at the Toyota Free State Cheetahs where he played Vodacom Cup rugby, however, he had more success at the Blue Bulls and Golden Lions before joining Zebre in Italy in 2012.

At the same time Hennie Daniller and Andries Ferreira (both Cheetahs) plied their trade at Zebre. Jean Cook is the latest former Cheetahs to play for the Italian Pro12 club.

Van Schalkwyk also had stints at the Valke, Leopards, Boland Cavaliers and Southern Kings.

The 23-year-old Steyn, who represented the U20 Springboks during the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa, played two games for the Sharks in 2012, before heading to Italy where he played for Mogliano, Zebre and Calvisano, before joining Benetton Treviso last year.

The BabyBoks led by Wian Liebenberg famously went on to win the 2012 Junior World Cup when they beat the Baby Blacks (New Zealand) 22-16 in the final at the Newlands in Cape Town.

Former Cheetahs lock and now the current forwards coach, Corniel van Zyl, played for Treviso as well for eight seasons and went to to represent Italy in 8 Tests.

The Azzurri will be conducting a training camp in Parma (host city of the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship) before Brunel announces his final squad by 19 January at the latest.

The 2016 Six Nations kicks off on 6 February and Italy will travel to Paris for their opening match where they will tackle France at the Stade de France.

Morgan Piek /OFM Sport

Photo: Dries van Schalkwyk in 2011 - Duif du Toit