Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that prop Ox Nché (knee) and utility forward Franco Mostert (ankle) face extended periods on the sidelines. The pair join Kwagga Smith and RG Snyman on the South African injury list as preparations intensify for upcoming international fixtures.
With a 44-man training group currently in camp, the Springbok squad will split this weekend: 26 players will travel to Buenos Aires for a one-off Test against Argentina on 8 August 2026, while the remainder stay in Johannesburg to prepare for the four-Test series against the All Blacks.
“There are only two guys who won’t be available due to longer term injuries, and they are Ox Nché and Franco Mostert. Apart from them, everyone is ready to play.”
— Rassie Erasmus, Springbok Head Coach
Key Takeaways from Rassie Erasmus’s Update
- Argentina Traveling Squad: 26 players will travel to Buenos Aires, primarily consisting of squad members needing match fitness and game time.
- Injury Management: Ox Nché and Franco Mostert remain in doubt for the opening Test of the four-match All Black series as they continue rehabilitation.
- Domestic Player Rotation: Front-row cover options like Ntuthuko Mchunu and Vusi Moyo may be released to domestic franchises (Stormers/Sharks) to gain match sharpness before final selections are locked in.
Springbok Squad Breakdown
| Position Group | Players Included |
| Props | Thomas du Toit, Wilco Louw, Ox Nché, Zachary Porthen, Carlü Sadie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Boan Venter, Ntuthuko Mchunu |
| Hookers | Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx |
| Locks | Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortjé |
| 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, Morné van den Berg, Grant Williams |
| Flyhalves | Manie Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Vusi Moyo, Handré Pollard |
| Centres | Damian de Allende, André Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel |
| Outside Backs | Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Quan Horn, Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse |
- Players Released for Franchise Duty: Ntuthuko Mchunu, Evan Roos, André-Hugo Venter, Jaco Williams, Embrose Papier.
