Erasmus includes six uncapped players in squad for Nations Championship

On Saturday evening, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named a 46-man squad for the inaugural Nations Championship, which was set to start against England in Johannesburg on Saturday, 4 July. The squad featured six uncapped players and a number of returning members from the Vodacom Bulls.

The squad comprised 28 forwards and 18 backs. The uncapped forwards included Paul de Villiers (flanker), Riley Norton (lock/loose forward), Ruben van Heerden (lock), and Carlu Sadie (prop). The two backs included in the squad were Vusi Moyo (flyhalf) and Jaco Williams (wing), complementing a largely experienced squad.

Notably, scrumhalf Herchel Jantjies returned to the squad for the first time since August 2023, after participating in the 2019 Springbok Rugby World Cup-winning squad. Twelve players from the Vodacom Bulls, who missed earlier selections due to their unavailability for the Springboks’ 80-31 win over the Barbarians and the SA ‘A’ team’s 40-0 victory over Zimbabwe, were included in the squad. This included Johan Grobbelaar (hooker), Wilco Louw and Gerhard Steenekamp (both props), Ruan Nortje (lock), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (utility forwards), Cameron Hanekom (No 8), Embrose Papier (scrumhalf), Handre Pollard (flyhalf), Kurt-Lee Arendse (wing), and Canan Moodie (utility back).

Papier, named the SA Vodacom URC player of the Season, last played in a Test match in 2018, making his inclusion after eight years in the Springbok squad notable. Thomas du Toit (prop) also returned after completing his season in England with Bath.

Following the match against England, the Springboks will face Scotland in Pretoria on 11 July, and Wales in Durban on 18 July, before travelling to Buenos Aires for a one-off Test against Los Pumas on 8 August.

Erasmus expressed his satisfaction with the quality of the squad and excitement about the newer players: "They all proved against the Barbarians and SA ‘A’ teams that they have what it takes to play at the highest level. As coaches, we feel fortunate to work with them over the last two weeks. They are familiar with the Springbok environment and the expected standards."

Additionally, Erasmus remarked on Embrose and Herschel's strong performances this season: "We are looking forward to welcoming them back into the squad."

Erasmus conveyed confidence in the returning Vodacom Bulls players fitting back into the team dynamics smoothly: "All except Embrose have been in our system recently, so they know our structures well. They have next week to readjust before we begin our Test-week preparations."

The squad was scheduled to depart for Johannesburg on Sunday morning to resume their training camp, coinciding with the Junior Springbok players who would join for their own preparations for the tournament in Georgia, while the other players returned to their provincial unions.