Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on Thursday named a group of 54 local and overseas-based players to attend the team’s second alignment camps, with Juarno Augusts, Vincent Tshituka, and Ntokozo Makhaza invited for the first time.
The camps will take place in person in Cape Town for local players and virtually for players based outside South Africa, on Thursday, 22 May and Friday, 23 May, respectively.
Thirty-six players will attend the in-person camp, with the 18 players currently plying their trade abroad in Japan and the northern hemisphere joining virtually, training schedule permitting.
Augustus, who was named the World Rugby U20 Player of the Year after a sterling performance for the Junior Boks in Georgia in 2017, has been a stand-out player for the Northampton Saints this season, while the Congolese-born Tshituka recently received his South African ID, clearing him to represent South Africa.
Makhaza, meanwhile, will join the Toyota Cheetahs for the Carling Currie Cup, after being named 2024 FNB Varsity Cup Player of the Tournament, playing for the eventual champions, the University of Cape Town.
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.
The camp will include a series of boardroom sessions over the two days as the Boks gear up for the international season, which kicks off on Saturday, 28 June with the first-ever home game between the Springboks and Barbarians.
This will be followed by the Castle Lager Incoming Series, the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, and the traditional end-of-the-year tour in November.
'EXCITING BUNCH'
Erasmus was pleased with the quality of the group named and said: “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.
“They have all made a strong statement in big competitions under immense pressure at times, so we are looking forward to working with them.”
Erasmus added: “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.”
Erasmus added that the team’s preparations for the season were at an advanced stage: “The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season, and all the operational and logistical aspects are in place for everything to run as smoothly as possible, so we are excited for the season ahead.”
Players invited to Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town (in alphabetical order):
Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Emirates Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Emirates Lions), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp (in alphabetical order):
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).