Springboks And SA ‘A’ Squads Named For Doubleheader In Gqeberha
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and SA ‘A’ coach Mzwandile Stick have named strong squads for their opening matches of the season against the Barbarians and Zimbabwe respectively on Saturday in Gqeberha, with Siya Kolisi and Vincent Tshituka set to captain the two teams.
The SA ‘A’ side will face Zimbabwe at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 12:00 on Saturday, before the Springboks take on the Barbarians at 15:00. Both matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
The two squads feature a balanced mix of experienced internationals and emerging talent who have impressed this season. Several Junior Springboks, who will represent South Africa at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia, will also receive their first taste of senior international rugby.
The Springbok squad includes 18 capped internationals. The only uncapped players in the starting XV are Junior Bok captain Riley Norton at lock and prop Carlu Sadie, while the uncapped replacements are hooker JJ Kotze, loose forward Paul de Villiers, and SA U20 flyhalf Vusi Moyo.
The backline boasts considerable international experience, with Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, and Edwill van der Merwe forming the back three. Andre Esterhuizen and Jesse Kriel will combine in midfield, while Quan Horn starts at flyhalf alongside Grant Williams at scrumhalf.
Up front, Ox Nche, Andre-Hugo Venter, and Sadie form the front row, with Norton partnering Franco Mostert in the second row. Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Jasper Wiese complete a formidable loose trio.
The replacements bench features six forwards and two backs. Kotze, Ntuthuko Mchunu, and Zachary Porthen provide front-row cover, while Ben-Jason Dixon, De Villiers, and Evan Roos offer further options among the forwards. Faf de Klerk and Moyo complete the bench.
Erasmus expressed his satisfaction with the quality of the squad despite injuries and mandatory rest periods forcing him to make several adjustments.
“We said from the outset that we wanted to give players returning from injury, as well as those who have been playing overseas, valuable game time, while also exposing some of the younger players on our radar to top-level international rugby,” said Erasmus.
“We have been very impressed with how quickly the new players have adapted to our systems and structures. We are excited to see what they can do alongside some of our established Springboks as we prepare for what promises to be a demanding season, with the Nations Championship and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series on the horizon.”
Springbok Team: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Quan Horn, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Vusi Moyo.
Speaking about the Barbarians, Erasmus added:
“They have assembled an exciting and experienced squad, and they will undoubtedly look to play an entertaining brand of rugby. That will provide a good test for us. They will challenge us, but this match is also an important opportunity for our players to reacclimatise to top-level international rugby ahead of the England Test in just over two weeks.
“That said, they are always difficult to analyse because their squad is made up of players from around the world, guided by a quality coaching team. It will therefore be important for us to focus on our own game and achieve the objectives we have set for ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Stick named a youthful and talented SA ‘A’ side that will benefit from the experience of senior players such as Lukhanyo Am, Boan Venter, Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Tshituka, and Neethling Fouche.
SA ‘A’ Team: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Jaco Williams, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Vincent Tshituka (c), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Boan Venter.
Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Siba Mahashe, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurenzo Julius.
The experienced core will be complemented by a group of exciting youngsters, including Luan Giliomee, Jaco Williams, and Zekhethelo Siyaya in the back three.
Markus Muller will partner Am in midfield, while Yaqeen Ahmed and Haashim Pead combine at halfback.
Stick has also selected a powerful forward pack, featuring loose forwards Buthelezi, Bathobele Hlekani, and Emmanuel Tshituka. Ruben van Heerden will partner Vincent Tshituka in the second row, while Fouche, Venter, and SA U20 hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele form the front row.
The SA ‘A’ bench also provides plenty of depth, with Liam van Wyk, Oliver Reid, and Hanro Jacobs covering the front row. Adre Smith, who joined the squad on Sunday, and Siba Mahashe will provide additional forward cover, while Nico Steyn, Imad Khan, and Jurenzo Julius are the backline replacements.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what this group can do against a determined Zimbabwe side that has already qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup,” said Stick.
“The young players and uncapped guys have integrated well over the last week, and you can sense the excitement among them ahead of this opportunity.
“This match will provide valuable senior international exposure for them and also for Zimbabwe. It will give us a chance to assess our depth as we build not only for this season, but also with one eye on next year’s Rugby World Cup.”
Commenting on Zimbabwe, Stick added:
“They are a settled team with a strong coaching group, so they will throw everything at us. We need to be prepared for that challenge. The key for us this weekend will be to stick to our structures and allow the players to express the talent that earned them selection. We are excited to see what they can produce on the field.”
Both squads will complete their main training block in Johannesburg on Wednesday before travelling to Gqeberha later in the day.
