It's like déjà vu all over again with Rassie Erasmus as he rolls out the big guns for the Springboks' critical two-Test march into New Zealand territory. Armed with a 36-strong squad, Erasmus is sticking to his guns, almost religiously, with the crew that duked it out in the first two rounds of the Rugby Championship against Australia. Only Cobus Wiese steps aside, making room for the veteran speedster Makazole Mapimpi, who’s stepping in to spice up the back three in the absence of the injured duo Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe.
South Africa is looking to keep their championship dreams afloat with these back-to-back clashes against the All Blacks, starting at Eden Park on September 6 and wrapping up at Sky Stadium the following week. With the Rugby Championship scoreboard currently a four-way tie, each team clutching a single win, these games don’t just promise fireworks; they might just set the entire tournament ablaze.
"This group of players have been working hard together since our first training camp in June, and most of them have been playing together for years, while the newer players in the squad showed in the Castle Lager Incoming Series and in the last two matches against Australia that they are ready for this challenge,"
Erasmus remarked, emphasizing the blend of experience and fresh energy in the squad. Adding to the good vibes, stalwarts like Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Willie le Roux, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels have all been given the green light to play, fully fit after their recent outing in Cape Town. However, Jasper Wiese will sit out the first Test due to suspension but will be back on board for the Wellington game.
"Facing the All Blacks in New Zealand is a massive challenge, but all the teams in this competition are ranked among the top sides in the world, and each one has the potential to beat one another on the day. We won our last four matches against them dating back to 2023, which marked only the second time in history that we defeated them four times in a row, and there is no doubt that will motivate both teams."
Erasmus underlined, setting the stage for what could be another epic chapter in the storied rivalry. The team departs for New Zealand on Tuesday, providing ample time to acclimate and fine-tune their strategies.
Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship Tests against New Zealand:
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese.
Backs: Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel