Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has officially unveiled a 43-man squad for the next phase of South Africa’s international test season. The squad announcement includes a strategic decision to release five capped national players back to their domestic unions, boosting local teams ahead of mid-week clashes against the touring All Blacks in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) series.
Franchise Boost: Five Boks Released for Mid-Week All Blacks Fixtures
Prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, No 8 Evan Roos, and hooker André-Hugo Venter return to John Dobson’s DHL Stormers ahead of their clash against New Zealand on Friday, 7 August.
Wing Jaco Williams—who scored a try on Test debut against Wales—joins the Hollywoodbets Sharks for their encounter against the All Blacks on Tuesday, 11 August. Meanwhile, scrumhalf Embrose Papier rejoins the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria ahead of their fixture at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 15 August.
Lock Ruben van Heerden is the sole player named on official standby while settling into his transition to Montpellier.
Full 43-Man Springbok Squad Breakdown
- Props: Thomas du Toit, Wilco Louw, 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, 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 & Utility Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Quan Horn, Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse.
Roadmap: Argentina Warm-Up to All Blacks Test Series
The Springboks will divide their focus across two operational camps before taking on Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, 8 August for a single warm-up Test. Following the South American tour, the team returns home to prepare for the opening Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on 22 August.
