Rassie Erasmus calls up Varsity Cup star Makhaza, Augustus, Tshituka for Boks camp
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has invited a number of uncapped players, including a Varsity Cup star, to the team's second alignment camp of the season, to be held in Cape and online, at the end of this month.
In total 54 players have been 'called up' including Northampton Saints' No 8 Juarno Augustus, Sharks loose forward Vincent Tshituka and UCT Varsity Cup wing Ntokozo Makhaza.
The camps will take place on May 22 and 23. Thirty-six players will attend the in-person camp, with 18 players currently plying their trade abroad in Japan and the northern hemisphere joining virtually, training schedule permitting.
Augustus, who previously ran out for the Stormers and Western Province, was named the World Rugby U20 Player of the Year in 2017 after featuring for the Junior Boks in the tournament in Georgia, while Congo-born Tshituka recently received his South African ID, clearing him to represent South Africa.
Makhaza, meanwhile, will join the Cheetahs for the Currie Cup, after being named 2024 Varsity Cup Player of the Tournament.
The group includes eight uncapped players – Augustus, Tshituka, Makhaza, Renzo du Plessis, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Marnus van der Merwe and Cobus Wiese.
Five players, meanwhile, were not considered for the alignment camp due to injuries, namely Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie, and Trevor Nyakane.
Ntokozo Makhaza of UCT Ikeys runs with the ball during the Varsity Cup match against Wits earlier this season. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
'Strong statement'
'This is an exciting bunch of players who have all made their mark in their respective competitions this season, and we are thrilled to invite a few talented new players to the camp,' said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
'They have all made a strong statement in big competitions under immense pressure at times, so we are looking forward to working with them.
'It's always difficult to reduce the size of the squad with the abundance of talent in South African rugby, but we were limited in the number of players we could select for the camp, and we are confident that we have sufficient cover in all positions within this group.'
Players invited to Springbok alignment camp:
Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp:
Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets).
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier).
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