Rassie Erasmus has pressed refresh on the Springboks’ build toward 2026, blending hardened World Cup winners with a wave of next generation prospects in a 49 man squad for next week’s alignment camp in Cape Town.
The four day gathering from 3 to 6 March marks the first in person touchpoint of the year for the national set up and signals the start of a long runway toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Fourteen players who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup remain central to the project, but the broader message is evolution rather than comfort.
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Veteran tighthead Frans Malherbe headlines the experienced contingent. The 2023 World Cup winner has not featured since the final due to back and neck issues, yet his inclusion suggests confidence in his rehabilitation and a desire to re establish continuity in the front row.
Alongside the established core sits an eye catching group of 11 uncapped players. Five are drawn directly from the junior ranks, underlining a deliberate attempt to accelerate exposure at the highest level. Junior World Championship winning captain Riley Norton earns recognition as a utility forward, while fellow age grade standouts Cheswill Jooste and Siphosethu Mnebelele are also invited. Teen prospects Kai Pratt and Markus Muller, currently touring Georgia with the Junior Boks, round out the youth intake.
Several of those players have already had a taste of the senior environment. Jooste, Haashim Pead and Bathobele Hlekani trained briefly with the Springboks last season and now step into a more structured alignment process. Emmanuel Tshituka, Jaco Williams and Paul de Villiers join them as first time invitees, while prop Zachary Porthen continues his integration after debuting against Japan late last year.
Rather than a conventional training camp, the week will centre on strategic clarity. Coaches will deliver detailed presentations on tactical direction, conditioning benchmarks and cultural standards in a series of boardroom and gym based sessions. A virtual follow up will connect 21 overseas based players to the same messaging.
Erasmus said the emphasis is on clarity and consistency as South Africa approach a demanding calendar.
“This is an exciting group of players who have all made a strong statement for their respective provincial unions,” he said. “We are delighted to have some of the finest young talent in the country attending the camp to expose them to our environment and structures.
“The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season. The next step is to start working with the players and getting them into the swing of things.”
South Africa open their campaign against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on 20 June before hosting England, Scotland and Wales in July as part of the Nations Championship. A trip to Argentina follows, then a four Test series against New Zealand across August and September. An away clash with Australia precedes a November European tour that includes Italy, France and Ireland before the Nations Championship Finals Weekend in London.
A second alignment camp is scheduled for May, reinforcing the layered build up to a season that will test both depth and durability.
Players invited to the first Springbok alignment camp
Forwards: Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, Kai Pratt, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka, Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Cobus Wiese, Jan Hendrik Wessels, Paul de Villiers, Ben Jason Dixon, Neethling Fouche, Frans Malherbe, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Salmaan Moerat, Riley Norton, Zachary Porthen, Evan Roos, Bathobele Hlekani, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter.
Backs: Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, Edwill van der Merwe, Grant Williams, Jaco Williams, Kurt Lee Arendse, Sebastian de Klerk, Cheswill Jooste, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu, Markus Muller, Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse, Quan Horn, Haashim Pead, Morne van den Berg.