Springbok Squad Named: Kolisi And Etzebeth Return For Argentina Test & All Blacks Series

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has adopted a strategic approach for the next phase of the international season by naming a 43-man squad that will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday to begin preparations for the Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, 8 August, as well as the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) series against New Zealand.

At the same time, Erasmus has released five players to their franchises for the midweek Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry fixtures against the All Blacks.

A major boost for the Springboks is the return of 10 experienced internationals who have recovered from injuries that sidelined them for varying periods. They are locks Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager, utility forward Franco Mostert, loose forward Siya Kolisi, flyhalves Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Handre Pollard, utility backs Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie, utility back Andre Esterhuizen, who can also play at centre, and scrumhalf Morne van den Berg.

The five players released to their franchises are prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, No. 8 Evan Roos, hooker Andre-Hugo Venter, scrumhalf Embrose Papier and wing Jaco Williams, all of whom could feature against the All Blacks in the inaugural RGR midweek fixtures.

Lock Ruben van Heerden, who made his Test debut against Wales last Saturday, is the only player from the Springboks’ opening Nations Championship squad not included in either group. Following his recent move from the DHL Stormers to French club Montpellier, he has been given time to settle at his new club but will remain on standby for national duty.

Erasmus explained that the split-squad approach was designed to maximise competition for places while carefully managing player workloads and rehabilitation.

“We put a lot of thought into how we would manage the entire group of players to give everyone a chance to stake a claim for places in the squad for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series,” said Erasmus.

“We decided that splitting the squad into two groups would be best for both the Springbok team and the players, allowing them to play their way into the final squad.

“Some players are returning from injury and need valuable game time, so depending on how they progress during next week’s training camp, we will decide who travels to Argentina. The rest of the 43-man squad will remain in Johannesburg with a group of coaches and management to begin preparations for the Tests against New Zealand.

“The players released to their franchises will also have an opportunity to face the All Blacks in their respective midweek matches if selected, which will be invaluable when we finalise the squad for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. We see this as a win-win situation for both the team and the players.”

Erasmus added that squad size restrictions for the Argentina tour also influenced the decision.

“We are limited in the number of players we can take to Argentina, so it makes sense to give everyone a fair opportunity to compete for places in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry squad.

“Some of the players staying behind in Johannesburg will also be in the final stages of their rehabilitation, allowing them to complete their recovery under the supervision of our medical team.

“There are also players who have played a significant amount of rugby this year, including during the Nations Championship, and they need a week off to allow their bodies to recover.”

Despite looking ahead to the New Zealand series, Erasmus warned against underestimating Argentina.

“They are a quality team, and they have proved that in our previous clashes,” he said.

“In fact, they beat us in Argentina the last time we played there in 2024, so we know exactly how difficult it is to win in Buenos Aires. We intend to take a strong team there.”

The Springboks are currently enjoying a short break with their families before the 43-man squad assembles in Johannesburg on Sunday. They will train together for a week before the touring squad departs for Buenos Aires in two groups the following Sunday and Monday.

Following the Argentina Test, South Africa will take on New Zealand in four Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tests: at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on 22 August, DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 29 August, FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 5 September, and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA, on 12 September.

Springbok squad to gather in Johannesburg on Sunday:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Begles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).

Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears).

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears).

Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon (both DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Siya Kolisi (DHL Stormers), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Vodacom Bulls).

Scrumhalves: Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls).

Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (DHL Stormers), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).

Players released to play for their franchises in RGR:

Forwards: Ntuthuko Mchunu, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter (all DHL Stormers).

Backs: Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls).

Standby: Ruben van Heerden (Montpellier).