Erasmus includes 21 uncapped players for Barbarians and SA ‘A’ double-header

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting 51-man squad – featuring 21 uncapped players – on Saturday evening for the team’s first training camp of the season, starting in Johannesburg on Monday, with an eye on the double-header between the Boks and the Barbarians, as well as the clash between the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe, in Gqeberha on Saturday, 20 June.

With the Vodacom Bulls players unavailable for selection after booking their place in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship final against Leinster, Erasmus selected a handful of junior players in his squad.

This group includes 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 in the group 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, Nico Steyn (both scrumhalves), Emmanuel Tshituka (flanker) and Jaco Williams (utility back).

The Japanese-based players who have completed their club commitments will join their teammates from the outset of the camp, while the UK-based players will report for duty once their season officially concludes in line with World Rugby’s Regulation 9.

The Springbok squad for the Nations Championship clashes against England (4 July), Scotland (11 July), and Wales (18 July), will be announced on Sunday, 21 June, following the conclusion of the URC.

Erasmus was thrilled to get their on-field preparations underway with the Barbarians and SA ‘A’ game, which will play out in a fortnight, and he looked forward to seeing how the younger players adapt to the demands of senior international rugby.

“We named a large group of players as we will be selecting a Springbok and SA ‘A’ team for the season-opening double-header in Gqeberha and this will be beneficial in the long term as we build the squad, looking forward to next year’s Rugby World Cup and beyond,” said Erasmus.

“There is also an exciting mix of experienced campaigners and young players in this squad and this formula has worked well for us in the past to ensure a clear pathway to build depth within the group.”

Zooming in on the camp itself, Erasmus said: “The coaches have been working around the clock to put the systems in place in the last few months and the in-person and virtual alignment camps have given most of the players a taste of what to expect, so it’s now a matter of implementing what they learned in the boardroom onto the field.

“We are under no illusions about the challenge ahead this season with two matches against the Barbarians and the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe playing out on the same day, which will be followed by two new competitions in the Nations Championship and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, so 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 to be as well prepared as possible when we take the field.”

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

The Stormers players arrived in camp on Monday. Buthelezi, who plays for the Hollywoodbets Sharks and made his Test debut against Portugal in 2024, will report for duty 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, will arrive in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The Boks kicked off their on-field preparations on Monday for the season-opening double-header between the Springboks and Barbarians, and the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe, both at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday, 20 June.

“It’s great to be back on the field and to see familiar and new faces in the squad,” said 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 slot in with ease.”

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

Ruben van Heerden has been called up to the Springbok squad and will join the team in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening as they continue their preparations for their season opener against the Barbarians next Saturday.

The Boks’ match against the BaaBaas will be preceded by a clash between the SA ‘A’ team and Zimbabwe at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on 20 June.

The 28-year-old former Junior Springbok lock, who has been a central figure in the DHL Stormers pack in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this season, will replace Salmaan Moerat, who has been released from camp due to injury.

Van Heerden earned his 50th cap for the Stormers this season, while he also represented the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, and Exeter Chiefs earlier in his career.

Buthelezi and Sadie, who were called up to the squad on Monday, meanwhile, have already reported for duty.

Erasmus and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick, who will steer the SA ‘A’ team, will name their matchday squads for the respective clashes next week.

Springbok squad (in alphabetical order)

Forwards: Phepsi Buthelezi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), 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), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Riley Norton (DHL Stormers), Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Carlu Sadie ( Bordeaux Bègles), Emmanuel Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), 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), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).