Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 43-man squad to assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday, kicking off preparations for their Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires on August 8 and the upcoming Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) series against New Zealand.
In a tactical squad split, Erasmus has released five players to their domestic franchises to gain match fitness against the touring All Blacks in midweek fixtures, whilst ten seasoned Springboks make a welcome return from the injury list.
The high-profile returnees include locks Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager, utility forward Franco Mostert, captain Siya Kolisi, flyhalves Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Handré Pollard, utility backs Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie, centre/flanker André Esterhuizen, and scrumhalf Morné van den Berg.
Meanwhile, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Evan Roos, André-Hugo Venter, Embrose Papier, and Jaco Williams have been released to their franchises. Lock Ruben van Heerden, who made his Test debut against Wales last Saturday, has been omitted to allow him to settle with his new French club Montpellier, though he remains on standby.
“We put a lot of thought into how we will manage the entire group of players to give everyone a chance to stake a claim for places in the squad for the RGR series,” said Erasmus. “Splitting the squad into two groups will be best for the Springbok team and the players to play their way into the squad.
“Some players are returning from injury and need some valuable game time, so depending on how they progress during next week’s training camp, we will decide who we will take to Argentina. The other guys in the 43-man squad will remain behind in Johannesburg with a group of coaches and management to begin preparing for the Tests against New Zealand.”
Erasmus emphasised that the arrangement benefits everyone: “The players released to their franchises will also have an opportunity to face the All Blacks in their respective midweek games, which will be invaluable for them once we decide on the final squad for RGR, so we see this as a win-win situation.”
He added: “We are limited in the number of players we can take to Argentina, so it makes sense to give everyone a fair chance. Some of the players who will train in Johannesburg will be in the final stages of their recovery under the supervision of our medical team, whilst other players who have played a lot of rugby need a match off to allow their bodies to recover.”
Looking ahead to the clash in South America, Erasmus warned against underestimating Los Pumas.
“They are a quality team, and they have proved that in our previous clashes,” Erasmus noted. “In fact, they defeated us in Argentina the last time we faced them there in 2024, so we know how tough it is to win there, and we intend to take a quality team to Buenos Aires.”
The Springboks are currently enjoying a week off with family before gathering in Johannesburg on Sunday. The travelling group for Argentina will depart in two batches on the following Sunday and Monday.
Springbok squad to gather in Johannesburg on Sunday:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Begles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Boan Venter (Lions).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears).
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon (both Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Stormers), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Morne van den Berg ( Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Handre Pollard (Bulls).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Damian Willemse Stormers).
