The Springbok management have set out a roadmap for the 2027 Rugby World Cup with selection of an incredibly young and talented SA A side for their two midweek games in Europe in November.
The 19-player squad - which will be bolstered by seven of the Springbok touring squad when they leave for Ireland on November 5, sees a crop of young talent that has already made its mark in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
Players who have already received a national call-up - like the Sharks Ntuthuko Mchunu and Grant Williams, as well as the Bulls lock Ruan Nortje are combined with rising talents like Bulls prop Simphiwe Matanzima, hookers Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Andre-Hugo Venter, Sharks juggernaut Phepsi Buthelezi and the backline talents of Gianni Lombard, Suleiman Hartzenberg and Henco van Wyk.
There are a number of more experienced players in the squad as well, including Boks Aphelele Fassi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Cornal Hendricks, while Herschel Jantjies has lost his place in the Bok pecking order to Jaden Hendrikse.
Johan Goosen, who has been in the Bok talking points all season, just had too little game time in the end to justify taking him along for the Boks and will be used to edge his way back into national contention in the A side.
There was also call-ups for props Sazi Sandi and Mornay Smith, both sloggers who do their workload during the season without fanfair.
Hendricks return to the national A side is a major step forward, especially as since his heart condition he has been on the outer despite performing for the Vodacom Bulls. His likely partnership with Henco van Wyk will be something worth watching.
The A side face Irish province Munster on November 10 and Bristol Bears a week later on November 17 and will be coached by Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick.
SA ‘A’ squad:
Forwards: Simphiwe Matanzima (Vodacom Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Cell C Sharks), Sazi Sandi (DHL Stormers), Mornay Smith (Vodacom Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls),
Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls),
Phepsi Buthelezi (Cell C Sharks), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Cell C Sharks)
Backs: Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Sanele Nohamba (Emirates Lions), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks), Johan Goosen (Vodacom Bulls), Gianni Lombard (Emirates Lions), Aphelele Fassi (Cell C Sharks), Cornal Hendricks (Vodacom Bulls), Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL Stormers), Henco van Wyk (Emirates Lions)