Springboks Select Rugby Championship Squad, Welcome Junior Stars

New talent integrated as experienced players rest or serve suspensions

The Springboks have unveiled their squad for the upcoming Castle Lager Rugby Championship, featuring a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising newcomers. Coach **Rassie Erasmus** has invited three standout players from the victorious Junior Springbok U20 Championship team to join a two-week conditioning camp, aiming to immerse them in the national team’s culture.

Junior Boks Earn National Call-Up for Conditioning

Aspiring talents **Bathobele Hlekani**, **Cheswill Jooste**, and **Haashim Pead**, all instrumental in the Junior Springboks’ recent World Rugby U20 Championship triumph, have been invited to train with the senior squad in Johannesburg. This initiative is designed to expose them to the rigorous standards and environment of international rugby.

Key Players Unavailable, Others Released for Game Time

Several key players will miss the initial phase of the championship. Prop **Thomas du Toit** is undergoing a mandatory rest period as per agreement with his Gallagher Premiership club, though he remains eligible for selection. Meanwhile, Number 8 **Jasper Wiese** is currently serving a four-week suspension.

A number of players have been released to their provincial franchises to build match fitness in the Carling Currie Cup. However, some of these players are on standby for the upcoming Wallaby Tests, including centres **Lukhanyo Am** (returning from a knee niggle) and **Jesse Kriel**, scrumhalf **Faf de Klerk**, wing **Makazole Mapimpi**, lock **Salmaan Moerat**, Number 8 **Evan Roos**, prop **Neethling Fouche**, and flanker **Vincent Tshituka**.

Squad Composition and Strategic Vision

The finalized squad comprises 20 forwards and 17 backline players. Coach **Rassie Erasmus** emphasized the difficult decisions involved in squad selection, highlighting the performance of the expanded group during recent series.

“It’s always challenging to reduce the squad, especially given how the expanded group of players put up their hands during the Castle Lager Incoming Series, but we always said we would select a smaller, more manageable squad during the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.”

—Rassie Erasmus, Springbok Coach

The squad aims to balance experience with emerging talent. “This group includes several experienced players and a few younger guys, who grabbed their chances in the last few Tests, so we are pleased with this squad for the first two matches,” **Erasmus** stated.

The strategic goal is to foster depth, with approximately three players capable of covering each position. This approach allows for the development of younger players against top international competition, a key pillar for the team’s long-term success.

The Springboks are preparing for a challenging Rugby Championship campaign, facing strong opposition from Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina, all ranked within the world’s top seven. This competition presents a different test compared to recent matches against teams like the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia.

The team’s next fixtures include two Tests against the Wallabies in Johannesburg on August 16th and Cape Town on August 23rd. **Erasmus** will later announce the squad for the September tour to New Zealand, followed by matches against Argentina in Durban and London in late September and early October.

Full Squad Announcement

Forwards:

Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls).

Backs:

Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).