Head coach Rassie Erasmus has expanded his Springbok squad base in Johannesburg to 44 players after drafting in power-packed loosehead prop Ntuthuko Mchunu.
The 27-year-old front-rower—who earned his fourth international cap during South Africa’s Nations Championship victory over Scotland—was originally released to the Stormers. However, he has been immediately recalled to national duty as star prop Ox Nche continues to recover from a knee injury suffered against England at Ellis Park.
Nche Fitness Watch Ahead of All Blacks Clash
While follow-up scans offered encouraging news following initial fears of a long-term layoff, Nche remains under medical supervision, making his availability for the upcoming Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks uncertain.
The Boks resumed on-field training in Johannesburg on Monday. Erasmus is scheduled to announce his travelling squad later this week for the one-off Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires on 8 August.
Updated 44-Man Springbok Squad Base
- Props: Thomas du Toit, Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Zachary Porthen, Carlu Sadie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Boan Venter.
- Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx.
- Locks: Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje.
- Loose Forwards: Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Jasper Wiese.
- Utility Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Franco Mostert, Vincent Tshituka, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese.
- Scrumhalves: Herschel Jantjies, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams.
- Flyhalves: Manie Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Vusi Moyo, Handre Pollard.
- Centres: Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel.
- Outside & Utility Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Quan Horn, Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse.
