Rassie Unveils Massive 51-Man Springbok Squad
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting 51-man squad on Saturday evening for the team’s first training camp of the season, which begins in Johannesburg on Monday.
The squad includes 21 uncapped players and has been assembled with an eye on the Springboks’ double-header against the Barbarians, as well as the SA ‘A’ clash against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha on Saturday, 20 June.
With the Vodacom Bulls unavailable for selection after securing their place in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship final against Leinster, Erasmus included several promising junior players in the squad.
The group features SA U20 players Yaqeen Ahmed (flyhalf/centre), Danie Kruger (prop), Luan Giliomee (utility back), Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), Oliver Reid (prop), Liam van Wyk (hooker), as well as Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton (loose forward/lock), Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker), Markus Muller (centre), and Zekhethelo Siyaya (utility back), all of whom were members of the expanded Springbok alignment camp squad.
The other uncapped players selected are Paul de Villiers (flanker), Bathobele Hlekani (utility forward), Hanro Jacobs (prop), Jurenzo Julius (utility back), Imad Khan (scrumhalf), JJ Kotze (hooker), Sibabalwa Mahashe (loose forward), Haashim Pead and Nico Steyn (both scrumhalves), Emmanuel Tshituka (flanker), and Jaco Williams (utility back).
The Japan-based players who have completed their club commitments will join the squad from the outset of the camp, while the UK-based players will report for duty once their seasons officially conclude, in line with World Rugby Regulation 9.
The Springbok squad for the Nations Championship matches against England (4 July), Scotland (11 July), and Wales (18 July) will be announced on Sunday, 21 June, following the conclusion of the Vodacom URC.
Erasmus was delighted to begin on-field preparations ahead of the Barbarians and SA ‘A’ fixtures, which take place in a fortnight, and is eager to see how the younger players adapt to the demands of senior international rugby.
“We named a large group of players as we will be selecting both a Springbok and an SA ‘A’ team for the season-opening double-header in Gqeberha. This will be beneficial in the long term as we continue building the squad with an eye on next year’s Rugby World Cup and beyond,” said Erasmus.
“There is also an exciting blend of experienced campaigners and young talent in this squad, and this formula has worked well for us in the past by creating a clear pathway and building depth within the group.”
Reflecting on the camp itself, Erasmus added:
“The coaches have been working around the clock over the last few months to put the necessary systems in place, and the in-person and virtual alignment camps have given most of the players a taste of what to expect. It is now a matter of implementing on the field what they have learned in the boardroom.
“We are under no illusions about the challenge ahead this season, with two matches against the Barbarians and the SA ‘A’ fixture against Zimbabwe taking place on the same day. These will be followed by two new competitions, the Nations Championship and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
“It will be important for the group to build cohesion as quickly as possible and make the most of our field sessions and team meetings so that we are as well prepared as possible when we take the field.”
Tickets for the Gqeberha double-header on 20 June are available now.
Springbok squad (alphabetical order):
Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Paul de Villiers (DHL Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Bathobele Hlekani (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Hanro Jacobs (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), JJ Kotze (DHL Stormers), Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers), Sibabalwa Mahashe (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Ntuthuko Mchunu (DHL Stormers), Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Riley Norton (DHL Stormers), Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Emmanuel Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), and Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers), Lukhanyo Am (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Jurenzo Julius (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Imad Khan (DHL Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Markus Muller (DHL Stormers), Haashim Pead (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Nico Steyn (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), and Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
