Erasmus Unveils 37-Man Springboks Squad For Rugby Championship Opener
Erasmus Unveils 37-Man Springboks Squad For Rugby Championship Opener
Rassie Erasmus names a 37-man Springboks squad, featuring 24 World Cup winners and five debutants, for Rugby Championship tests vs. Australia in August.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has unveiled a formidable 37-man squad featuring 24 Rugby World Cup winners for South Africa’s opening two fixtures in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship against Australia.
The squad also boasts fresh talent from July’s successful Castle Lager Incoming Series, where five players earned their first test caps.
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The newcomers include Ethan Hooker, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe and Cobus Wiese — all of whom impressed during the mid-year series.
Their inclusion underlines Erasmus’ focus on both building depth and rewarding performance.
In a move that highlights the Springboks’ commitment to youth development, Erasmus invited three members of the Junior Springboks’ World Rugby U20 Championship-winning team — Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste and Haashim Pead — to train with the senior squad during a two-week conditioning camp in Johannesburg starting July 27.
While not officially selected for the matches, their involvement aims to integrate them into the Springboks culture and expose them to elite-level standards.
Erasmus will be without Bath prop Thomas du Toit due to a mandatory two-week rest agreement with his club, and No. 8 Jasper Wiese, who is serving a four-week suspension.
Meanwhile, a group of experienced players — including Lukhanyo Am, Faf de Klerk, Makazole Mapimpi and Salmaan Moerat — have been released to their franchises to gain playing time in the Carling Currie Cup. They remain on standby for potential call-ups.
The Springboks, defending champions of The Rugby Championship, will face Australia on Aug. 16 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, followed by a second clash at Cape Town Stadium on Aug. 23.
“It’s always a challenge to trim the squad, especially after the performances we saw in July,” Erasmus said. “But we’ve selected a balanced group with a good mix of experience and promising talent. We’ve also kept standby players informed of our plans to ensure readiness if injuries occur.”
Erasmus emphasized squad depth and the need to adapt to the physical and tactical challenges posed by Australia, New Zealand and Argentina — all of whom rank in the world’s top 7.
“The Rugby Championship is a different beast,” Erasmus added. “These teams have all beaten us in recent years. We’ve built a strong foundation, but we know the level of intensity and tactical sharpness we’ll need.”
Following the Australia leg, the Springboks will travel to New Zealand in September for matches at Eden Park in Auckland and Sky Stadium in Wellington, before concluding their campaign against Argentina in Durban and London.
Springboks Squad For Castle Lager Rugby Championship Tests Against Australia
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese.
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse.
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