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France 24
2 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Erasmus unveils monster Springbok squad for Tests against Baa-Baas, Italy and Georgia
The squad, consisting of 30 forwards and 24 backs, includes 31 Rugby World Cup veterans and nine uncapped players. There will be a staggered approach to players joining the camp that starts on June 8 given ongoing league finals in the United Rugby Championship and English Premiership. The full Japan-based contingent of players are all available following the conclusion of their season. Five players were not considered for selection due to injuries: Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane. "We were very pleased with the two Springbok alignment camps we hosted, and we are excited to have the luxury of announcing a squad with so much depth and talent," said Erasmus. "Having an expanded squad will not only afford us the opportunity to have productive training sessions, but it will also bode well for the younger players in the group to learn from the senior players, many of whom are Rugby World Cup champions. "We take pride in offering talented young players a chance to work first-hand with the coaches and to expose them to standards at international level, and we are excited to see them showcase their skills at the camp." Erasmus added: "We used a total of 50 players last season in an attempt to balance the load on them, while at the same time building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and with a few more talented youngsters in this group, we hope that they will learn valuable lessons and stake a strong claim for places in what will be a challenging, yet exciting season." The Springboks will meet the Barbarians in their first encounter on South African soil in Cape Town on June 28, followed by back-to-back Tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha on July 5 and 12, and Georgia in Nelspruit on July 19. Springbok squad Forwards: Juarno Augustus, Lood de Jager, Renzo du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche, Cameron Hanekom, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Salmaan Moerat, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Tshituka, Marco van Staden, Marnus van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese, Jasper Wiese Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Quan Horn, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Ntokozo Makhaza, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Five players unavailable to Springboks: When will they be back?
In selecting his first Springbok training squad of the year, Rassie Erasmus cast his net far and wide, naming 54 players, nine of whom are uncapped. Five players, meanwhile, were not considered for selection due to injuries: Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane. Frans Malherbe Issue: Niggling back injury Expected return: There is a chance he could be rested for the July internationals, but the big prop should certainly be readily available for the Rugby Championship. Elrigh Louw Issue: Serious leg injury Expected return: Early next year. Ben-Jason Dixon Issue: Wrist injury Expected return: He will miss the July internationals, but could be back in contention during the Rugby Championship. Deon Fourie Issue: Serious ankle injury. Expected return: He should be back in training before the Rugby Championship. Trevor Nyakane Issue: Ruptured Achilles tendon Expected return: Towards the end of 2025 ULL SPRINGBOK SQUAD: Forwards: Cameron Hanekom, Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Renzo du Plessis, Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie (Bulls), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse (Stormers), Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (Lions), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT). Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Meanwhile, here is an important reminder on ticket sales for the Springbok men's game against Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Twickenham in October. Ticket sales Tickets are on sale via and England Rugby, starting from just £55* for adults and £28* for Under-16s. (*booking fees apply)
The South African
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks: Injury list, recovery timelines
As the Springboks' 2025 season draws ever closer, a group of 54 players will take part in a variety of upcoming preparation sessions as the national team gears up for the international season, which kicks off on 28 June against the Barbarians. Five players were not considered for the alignment camp due to injuries, though, namely Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie, and Trevor Nyakane. Frans Malherbe: The World Cup winner has been battling with a niggling back injury since late March, and he is likely to miss the remainder of the Stormers' season. There is a chance he could be rested for the July internationals, but should certainly be readily available for the Rugby Championship. Elrigh Louw: The youngster is recovering from a serious leg injury, and will unfortunately be out of action for the whole year. Ben-Jason Dixon: The versatile forward is currently sidelined with a wrist injury, and indications are he will remain unavailable for the rest of the domestic season. He will miss the July internationals, but could be back in contention during the Rugby Championship. Deon Fourie: The Springbok stalwart is out for at least three months due to a serious ankle injury. He should be back in training before the Rugby Championship, but considering he turns 39 in September, it does seem likely that the national coaches will now be looking at younger, long-term player investments. Trevor Nyakane: Another veteran who unfortunately may have his Springbok days behind him. Currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, it seems unlikely that the 36-year-old will be available this year. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Meanwhile, here is an important reminder on ticket sales for the Springbok men's game against Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Twickenham in October. Ticket sales Tickets are on sale via and England Rugby, starting from just £55* for adults and £28* for Under-16s. (*booking fees apply)
