Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has announced a 54-player training squad for the upcoming international season, maintaining consistency with the group from the recent alignment camp in Cape Town, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The squad comprises 31 Rugby World Cup players, alongside nine uncapped players eager to make their mark on the international stage.
The uncapped players include Marnus van der Merwe, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Renzo du Plessis, Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus, Ethan Hooker, and Ntokozo Makhaza. Notably, Fouche and Hooker were part of the Springbok training squad last season, while Tshituka and Augustus have previously been involved in the senior international setup during the 2020 Springbok Showdown.
With several players still engaged in club commitments, including the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, and Leinster in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final, as well as Bath, Leicester Tigers, and Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals, a phased approach will be adopted for players joining the camp. The available players, including those from Japan-based clubs, will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday, 8 June, to commence on-field preparations.
Five players were not considered for selection due to injuries: Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie, and Trevor Nyakane.
Erasmus expressed satisfaction with the depth and talent within the squad, emphasising the importance of integrating younger players with seasoned veterans. ‘Having an expanded squad allows for productive training sessions and provides younger players the opportunity to learn from Rugby World Cup champions,’ he stated.
The Springboks will kick off their international season against the Barbarians in Cape Town on Saturday, 28 June, competing for the Qatar Airways Cup. This will be followed by back-to-back Tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha on 5 and 12 July, and a match against Georgia in Nelspruit on 19 July.
Springbok squad:
Forwards: Juarno Augustus, Lood de Jager, Renzo du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche, Cameron Hanekom, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Salmaan Moerat, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Tshituka, Marco van Staden, Marnus van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese, Jasper Wiese.
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Quan Horn, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Ntokozo Makhaza, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams.
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Picture: David Rogers / Gallo Images
