Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a powerful 37-man squad for the two Rugby Championship Tests against Australia this August in Johannesburg (August 16) and Cape Town (August 23). Notably, the squad blends 24 Rugby World Cup winners with youthful energy, including five newcomers who impressed during the Incoming Series.
ALSO READ: Junior Boks Crowned U20 World Champions After Historic Win Over New Zealand.
Erasmus retained a wealth of experience, 20 forwards and 17 backs, highlighting the squad’s balance. While leaving out key figures like Faf de Klerk, Lukhanyo Am, and Makazole Mapimpi, the coach has rallied around reliable core players, ensuring the team’s tenacity remains intact.
At the same time, he’s opened doors to new generations by inviting three standout Junior Springboks, Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste, and scrumhalf Haashim Pead to integrate into the environment via a two-week training camp in Johannesburg. Their inclusion follows earlier integration of U20 stars like Ethan Hooker, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe, and Cobus Wiese.
Springbok Squad
Forwards:
Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls).
Backs:
Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
