Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a powerful 37-man squad for the back-to-back Rugby Championship Tests against the All Blacks later this month. The group remains largely unchanged from the team that swept Australia, with Erasmus backing tried-and-tested combinations while welcoming back experienced campaigners like Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Willie le Roux.
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Notably, the squad reflects continuity and cohesion: 36 of the 38 players from the matches against Australia are retained, underlining Erasmus’s preference for stability. Injuries have forced tweaks in the backline, with Makazole Mapimpi recalled in place of Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe, while powerhouse No. 8 Jasper Wiese is available for the second Test after suspension.
Experience Meets Depth
Erasmus’s selection underscores his trust in Rugby World Cup winners and battle-hardened veterans while also ensuring promising players integrated earlier in the season remain part of the mix. With 20 forwards and 17 backs, the group is carefully balanced to cover all positions.
Kolisi’s fitness is a boost to the leadership core, while Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, and Ox Nche strengthen a formidable pack. In the backs, Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok are both available at fly-half, while Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, and Damian Willemse add midfield versatility.
Springbok Squad for New Zealand Tests
Forwards:
Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Bègles), 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), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers).
Backs:
Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers).
