Rassie Erasmus Names 43-Man Springbok Squad for Argentina Test and All Blacks Series

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 43-man squad to begin preparations for South Africa’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires, while also planning ahead for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand.

The group will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday before a travelling squad is selected for the Test against Argentina on Saturday, 8 August.

Experienced Springboks return from injury

Ten experienced Springboks return after recovering from injuries that have kept them out of action for varying periods.

The returning players are:

• Eben Etzebeth
• Lood de Jager
• Franco Mostert
• Siya Kolisi
• Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
• Handre Pollard
• Ethan Hooker
• Canan Moodie
• Andre Esterhuizen
• Morne van den Berg

Five players released to face the All Blacks

Five players have been released to represent their franchises in the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry midweek fixtures against the All Blacks.

They are:

• Ntuthuko Mchunu
• Evan Roos
• Andre-Hugo Venter
• Embrose Papier
• Jaco Williams

Ruben van Heerden placed on standby

Lock Ruben van Heerden, who made his Springbok debut against Wales last weekend, has not been included in either training group after completing his move from the DHL Stormers to French club Montpellier.

He will remain on standby for selection.

Erasmus explains selection strategy

Erasmus said splitting the group would allow every player the opportunity to compete for places in the squad for the New Zealand series.

“We put a lot of thought into how we will manage the entire group of players to give everyone a chance to stake a claim for places in the squad for the RGR series, and we decided that splitting the squad into two groups will be best for the Springbok team and the players to play their way into the squad,” said Erasmus.

He added that several returning players still require valuable game time before a final travelling squad is selected.

“Some players are returning from injury and need some valuable game time, so depending on how they progress from their injuries during next week’s training camp, we will decide who we will take to Argentina, while the other guys in the 43-man squad will remain behind in Johannesburg with a group of coaches and management to begin preparing for the Tests against New Zealand.”

Erasmus also believes allowing selected players to feature for their franchises against the All Blacks will benefit both the individuals and the national side.

“The players released to their franchises, meanwhile, will also have an opportunity to face the All Blacks in their respective midweek games if they are selected, which will be invaluable for them once we decide on the final squad for RGR, so we see this as a win-win situation for the team and players.”

He said squad management was also influenced by travel restrictions and player welfare.

Busy schedule ahead

The Springboks will spend the coming week with their families before assembling in Johannesburg on Sunday for a week-long training camp.

The touring squad will depart for Buenos Aires the following Sunday and Monday ahead of the Test against Argentina.

South Africa will then face New Zealand in four Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tests:

• 22 August: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
• 29 August: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
• 5 September: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
• 12 September: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA

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