Phepsi And Sadie Earn Springbok Call-Ups For Gqeberha Openers

Phepsi Buthelezi (loose forward) and Carlu Sadie (prop) have been called up to the Springbok squad and will join the camp in Johannesburg over the next two days, along with the DHL Stormers players following their return from Ireland, where they featured in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final over the weekend.

The training squad was announced on Saturday evening.

The DHL Stormers players reported for duty on Monday, while Buthelezi, who plays for the Hollywoodbets Sharks and made his Test debut against Portugal in 2024, joined the squad in Johannesburg on Monday evening.

Sadie, a former Junior Springbok who attended the virtual Springbok alignment camps from France, where he plays for European champions Bordeaux Bègles, is expected to arrive in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The Springboks kicked off their on-field preparations on Monday for the season-opening double-header at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday, 20 June. The fixtures will see the Springboks take on the Barbarians, while an SA ‘A’ side faces Zimbabwe.

“It’s great to be back on the field and to see both familiar and new faces in the squad,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.

“The excitement in the group to get the season underway is palpable, and we are looking forward to the week ahead.

“We are also pleased to welcome Phepsi and Carlu to the squad, and we are confident they will settle in with ease.”

The Springbok squad for the opening leg of the Nations Championship, which includes matches against England, Scotland and Wales, will be announced on Sunday, 21 June.