By Sitha Maliwa:
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a formidable 37-man squad for the opening two matches of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship against Australia, blending seasoned Rugby World Cup winners with promising new faces who impressed during the July Test window.
Among the group are 24 players who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2023, alongside five Test debutants who earned their first caps during the Castle Lager Incoming Series: Ethan Hooker, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe, and Cobus Wiese.
In a move that underscores his commitment to the future of South African rugby, Erasmus also invited three standout performers from the Junior Springboks’ recent World Rugby U20 Championship triumph = Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste, and Haashim Pead – to join the squad for a two-week training camp in Johannesburg.
“We are tremendously proud of the Junior Springboks for winning the World Rugby U20 Championship,” said Erasmus. “We opted to invite three of them to expose them to our structures and the standards required at the top international level. We believe this camp will benefit them significantly.”
Erasmus explained the decision to trim the squad after the July series, citing the need for a more manageable group during the Championship.
“It’s always challenging to reduce the squad, especially given how the expanded group of players put up their hands during the Castle Lager Incoming Series,” said Erasmus. “This group includes several experienced players and a few younger guys, who grabbed their chances in the last few Tests, so we are pleased with this squad for the first two matches.”
The squad includes 20 forwards and 17 backs, with most positions covered by at least three players – a key strategic move aimed at building depth and flexibility.
Meanwhile, Thomas du Toit has been granted a compulsory two-week rest period in line with Gallagher Premiership agreements, while Jasper Wiese is serving a four-week suspension and will miss the Australia leg.
Several players, including Lukhanyo Am, Faf de Klerk, Makazole Mapimpi, and Salmaan Moerat, have been placed on standby and released to their franchises to gain Currie Cup game time. Others on standby include Evan Roos, Neethling Fouché, and Vincent Tshituka.
“We’ve informed the players on standby what our plans are and what we expect from them, so that all of them are ready to step up if needed,” said Erasmus.
Erasmus is under no illusions about the challenge posed by the southern hemisphere giants.
“Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina are all ranked in the top seven in the world,” he said. “This is a completely different kettle of fish from what we’ve faced so far. All three teams have beaten us in the last few years and they each play a very different style of rugby.”
Following the Australia matches, Erasmus will announce a squad for the two-match tour of New Zealand in September, where the Springboks will face the All Blacks at Eden Park (6 September) and Sky Stadium in Wellington (13 September). The team will wrap up the competition with back-to-back Tests against Argentina in Durban (27 September) and London (4 October).
Springbok Squad for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship (vs Australia)
Forwards:
Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese.
Backs:
Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Edwill van der Merwe, Morné van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse. – @NewsSA_Online
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