South African Squad Trimmed for Rugby Championship, Rising Stars Invited to Train
Several high-profile players, including Faf de Klerk and Mapimpi, were left out as three Junior Boks joined the senior squad.
Coach Rassie Erasmus trimmed the large Test squad from Italy and Georgia series to create a smaller, more focused group. His goal, to optimize performance and increase efficiency during training sessions.
A Strong Squad Despite Big Omissions
Despite several omissions, Erasmus chose a strong squad for the opening Rugby Championship matches against Australia at Ellis Park and Cape Town.
Five of seven South African Test debutants—Hooker, Ntlabakanye, Venter, van der Merwe, and Wiese—have been retained in the squad. Flanker Vincent Tshituka and tighthead Neethling Fouche were not selected but remain on standby.
Jasper Wiese is unavailable due to suspension. He is currently serving a four-match ban for a headbutt incident in the first Test against Italy.
Bath prop Thomas du Toit also misses out — officially due to a two-week rest period agreed with his English club. Du Toit, who struggled at loosehead during the Tests after playing tighthead all season for Bath, is still eligible for recall. His rest concludes before the first Wallabies clash, making a return likely.
Faf de Klerk and Mapimpi Left Out
Veterans Faf de Klerk and Makazole Mapimpi are among those left out. De Klerk impressed with a lively cameo off the bench against Georgia, but Erasmus seems to be looking ahead. Morne van den Berg remains in the squad, and rising Junior Bok scrumhalf Haashim Pead has been invited to train.
Pead excelled in South Africa’s U20 Championship win, scoring six tries in five games and leading the team’s dynamic attack.
At scrumhalf, Grant Williams remains the frontrunner, bringing speed and sharpness to the Boks’ attack. Van den Berg, a similarly quick and dynamic option, looks to be next in line, while Cobus Reinach provides experienced cover.
South African player, Mapimpi, who turns 35 on July 26, appears to be nearing the end of his Test career. The arrival of younger wings like Edwill van der Merwe, Ethan Hooker, and Canan Moodie adds to the competition. While Mapimpi remains a national icon with 33 tries from 47 Tests, his selection for the 2027 World Cup seems unlikely. However, Erasmus may look to honour him with a few more caps to reach the 50-Test milestone.
Other Players on Standby
The coaches also left out Lukhanyo Am, Salmaan Moerat, and Evan Roos, but kept them on standby. A minor knee injury kept Am out of the July Tests.
“It’s always tough to reduce the squad,” said Erasmus. “The squad impressed against Italy and Georgia, but we always planned to select a smaller, more focused group for the Championship.”
He continued, “We have a mix of experience and young talent in this group, and those on standby are fully aware of our expectations and plans.”
Building for the Future South African Squad
Erasmus stressed building depth, aiming for three players per position and focusing on exposing young players to top-level international rugby.
Among the three Junior Boks invited to train with the team are winger Cheswill Jooste and flanker Bathobele Hlekani, alongside scrumhalf Pead. Erasmus praised the U20 squad’s recent success:
“We’re incredibly proud of the Junior Boks for winning the World Rugby U20 Championship. We’ve invited these three to experience our structures and standards. Although we’d love to include more, squad size constraints meant we could only select a few.”
Springbok Squad for Rugby Championship
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 Fassie, 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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