In a bold move that's shaken up the rugby world, Rassie Erasmus has unveiled his 36-warrior squad for the Springboks' grueling European tour next month. The lineup sees the inclusion of the young gun Zachary Porthen, fresh from his Stormers stint, while tossing veteran Bongi Mbonambi into the uncertainty of the standby list. This selection cocktail mixes seasoned World Cup champions with sprightly newcomers, setting the stage for an electrifying series of matches across the continent.
Erasmus, not one to shy away from mixing things up, has called back several players from injury for this tour, including prop Gerhard Steenekamp and winger Edwill van der Merwe. The squad's spine is bolstered by the likes of Siya Kolisi, who is on the brink of his 100th cap, a milestone he’s set to hit during the tour. The tour will kick off grandly at London's Wembley and wrap up at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, promising a November packed with top-tier rugby action.
"We are excited about the makeup of this squad. Most of the players have been with us throughout the season, while others are back from injury or have done the job for us in the past. It’s also great to see a young player like Zachary, who has come through our junior structures, break into the senior setup. We’re excited to see what he can do at this level."
The decision not to include veteran fullback Willie le Roux, despite his recent 100th cap, adds another layer of intrigue to Erasmus's strategic maneuvers. The coach hinted at the intense competition and high stakes of the upcoming matches, especially against world-class teams like Ireland and France. The squad's composition reflects a strategic blend aimed at navigating what Erasmus describes as a "longer tour than usual" with the potential to test their mettle against some of the best in the world.
This tour is not just about testing physical limits but also strategic depths, with Erasmus keeping his cards close about potential game-day squad rotations. The standby list features heavy hitters like Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi, ensuring that the Boks remain fortified, come what may.
Springbok squad: Forwards – Lood de Jager, Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Jean Kleyn, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Zachary Porthen, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese. Backs – Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams.
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In a bold move that's shaken up the rugby world, Rassie Erasmus has unveiled his 36-warrior squad for the Springboks' grueling European tour next month. The lineup sees the inclusion of the young gun Zachary Porthen, fresh from his Stormers stint, while tossing veteran Bongi Mbonambi into the uncertainty of the standby list. This selection cocktail mixes seasoned World Cup champions with sprightly newcomers, setting the stage for an electrifying series of matches across the continent.
Erasmus, not one to shy away from mixing things up, has called back several players from injury for this tour, including prop Gerhard Steenekamp and winger Edwill van der Merwe. The squad's spine is bolstered by the likes of Siya Kolisi, who is on the brink of his 100th cap, a milestone he’s set to hit during the tour. The tour will kick off grandly at London's Wembley and wrap up at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, promising a November packed with top-tier rugby action.
"We are excited about the makeup of this squad. Most of the players have been with us throughout the season, while others are back from injury or have done the job for us in the past. It’s also great to see a young player like Zachary, who has come through our junior structures, break into the senior setup. We’re excited to see what he can do at this level."
The decision not to include veteran fullback Willie le Roux, despite his recent 100th cap, adds another layer of intrigue to Erasmus's strategic maneuvers. The coach hinted at the intense competition and high stakes of the upcoming matches, especially against world-class teams like Ireland and France. The squad's composition reflects a strategic blend aimed at navigating what Erasmus describes as a "longer tour than usual" with the potential to test their mettle against some of the best in the world.
This tour is not just about testing physical limits but also strategic depths, with Erasmus keeping his cards close about potential game-day squad rotations. The standby list features heavy hitters like Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi, ensuring that the Boks remain fortified, come what may.
Springbok squad: Forwards – Lood de Jager, Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Grobbelaar, Jean Kleyn, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Zachary Porthen, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese. Backs – Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams.
Standby: Forwards – Ju