In a bold move that underscores his vision for the team's future, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has unveiled his 46-man squad for the upcoming Nations Championship. This selection includes six promising talents poised for their Test debuts, alongside seasoned players, marking a blend of experience and emerging prowess in South African rugby.
Among the newcomers, U20 stars Riley Norton and Vusi Moyo catch the eye, with Paul de Villiers, Ruben van Heerden, Carlu Sadie, and Jaco Williams also set to don the Springbok jersey for the first time. These players have shown considerable promise in recent fixtures against formidable teams such as the Barbarians and SA 'A', suggesting they are ready for the international stage.
"We are pleased with the quality of the group we have selected, and it’s also exciting to see the next generation of players coming through," Erasmus remarked.
Additionally, the squad sees the return of Rugby World Cup winner Herschel Jantjies and Embrose Papier, the latter looking to make his first Test appearance since 2018. Their inclusion speaks volumes about their form and Erasmus's confidence in their abilities to contribute to the team's goals.
The core of the team is further strengthened by the inclusion of 12 players from the Bulls, fresh from their URC final stint, signaling a robust backbone for the upcoming challenges. Thomas du Toit is another notable inclusion, ready to step in after completing his season with Bath in the Premiership.
The Boks are coming off a commanding 80-31 victory over the Barbarians in an uncapped match, setting a positive tone for their Nations Championship campaign. They are scheduled to face England in their opener, followed by matches against Scotland and Wales, before heading to Argentina for a one-off Test against Los Pumas.
"They are all familiar with the way the Springbok environment operates, the standards expected at this level, and they have shown that they are comfortable in the set-up, so we are excited for them to make this step-up," Erasmus added.
The team’s composition is as follows:
Props: Thomas du Toit, Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Zachary Porthen, Carlu Sadie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Boan Venter
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx, Andre-Hugo Venter
Locks: Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje, Ruben van Heerden
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi, Evan Roos, Vincent Tshituka, Jasper Wiese
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Franco Mostert, Riley Norton, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese
Scrum-halves: Embrose Papier, Herschel Jantjies, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams
Fly-halves: Manie Libbok, Vusi Moyo, Handre Pollard
Centres: Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel
Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Quan Horn, Cheslin Kolbe, Can