Rassie Names His Men! Six Debutants And Spectacular 8-Year Recall Highlight Blistering 46-Man Springbok Squad
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on Saturday named a 46-man squad featuring six uncapped players and a host of returning Vodacom Bulls stars for the inaugural Nations Championship, which kicks off against England in Johannesburg on Saturday, 4 July.
The squad consists of 28 forwards and 18 backs. The six uncapped players are forwards Paul de Villiers (flanker), Riley Norton (lock/utility forward), Ruben van Heerden (lock) and Carlu Sadie (prop), as well as backs Vusi Moyo (flyhalf) and Jaco Williams (wing).
Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies, a member of South Africa’s 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, also makes a notable return after last featuring for the Springboks against Argentina in August 2023.
Twelve Vodacom Bulls players, who were unavailable for selection for Saturday’s Springbok clash against the Barbarians — which South Africa won 80-31 — and the SA ‘A’ side’s 40-0 victory over Zimbabwe in Gqeberha, have been included in the squad.
They are Johan Grobbelaar (hooker), Wilco Louw and Gerhard Steenekamp (props), Ruan Nortje (lock), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Cobus Wiese (utility forwards), Cameron Hanekom (No. 8), Embrose Papier (scrumhalf), Handre Pollard (flyhalf), Kurt-Lee Arendse (wing) and Canan Moodie (utility back).
Papier, who was recently named the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Season, last played for the Springboks in 2018. His inclusion marks his first Springbok squad selection in eight years.
Prop Thomas du Toit also returns to the squad after completing his season with English Premiership champions Bath.
Following the clash against England, the Springboks will face Scotland in Pretoria on 11 July and Wales in Durban on 18 July before travelling to Buenos Aires for a one-off Test against Argentina on 8 August.
“We are pleased with the quality of the group we have selected, and it’s also exciting to see the next generation of players coming through in Riley, Vusi, Paul, Carlu, Ruben and Jaco,” said Erasmus.
“They all proved against the Barbarians and in the SA ‘A’ match that they have what it takes to play at the highest level. As coaches, we are fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with them over the last two weeks.
“They are all familiar with the way the Springbok environment operates, the standards expected at this level, and they have shown that they are comfortable in the set-up. We are excited to see them take this next step.”
Erasmus also welcomed the return of two experienced scrumhalves.
“Embrose and Herschel have made a strong statement with their performances this season, and we are looking forward to welcoming them back into the squad,” he said.
The Bok coach expressed confidence that the returning Bulls players would seamlessly reintegrate into the national setup.
“All of the players, with the exception of Embrose, have been in our system over the last few seasons, so they know our structures well. They will have next week to get back into the swing of things before we begin our proper Test-week preparations.”
The squad will depart for Johannesburg on Sunday morning to resume their training camp. The Junior Springbok players will remain with their teammates before departing for Georgia for the World Rugby U20 Championship, while the remaining players will return to their respective provincial unions.
Springbok squad for the Nations Championship
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Union Bordeaux-Bègles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Saitama Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers).
Loose Forwards: Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon (both DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Riley Norton (DHL Stormers), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Vodacom Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls), Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Saitama Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside Backs/Utility Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe, Jaco Williams (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
