Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is among a group of ten Boks who have been recalled into Rassie Erasmus’ 43-man squad prepare for the next phase of the international season.
The group will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday to begin preparations for next month’s Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires before turning their attention to the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks.
Among the returning players are World Cup winners Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi and Handré Pollard, along with Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen and Morné van den Berg.
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Erasmus has also released five players to their franchises to face the All Blacks in the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry midweek fixtures. Ntuthuko Mchunu, Andre-Hugo Venter, Evan Roos, Embrose Papier and Jaco Williams will all have the chance to press their claims against New Zealand opposition.
“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,” Erasmus said.
“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.”
The Bok coach said the returning injured players would be monitored closely before a final touring squad is selected for Argentina.
“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,” he explained.
“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.”
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Erasmus believes releasing a handful of players to their franchises will also strengthen South Africa’s preparations for the All Blacks.
“The players released to their franchises 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.”
Ruben van Heerden, who made his Test debut against Wales last weekend, is the only player from the opening Nations Championship squad not included after recently joining French club Montpellier. He will remain on standby.
Looking ahead to the trip to Buenos Aires, Erasmus warned against underestimating Argentina.
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“They are a quality team, and they have proved that in our previous clashes,” he said.
“In fact, they defeated us in Argentina the last time we faced them there in 2024, so we know how tough it is to win there, and we intend to take a quality team to Buenos Aires.”
SPRINGBOKS SQUAD:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Begles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Lions).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears).
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon (both Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Stormers), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Vodacom Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Morné van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), André Esterhuizen (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers).
Players released to play for their franchises in RGR:
Forwards: Ntuthuko Mchunu, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter (all Stormers).
Backs: Jaco Williams (Sharks), Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls).
Standby: Ruben van Heerden (Montpellier).
Photo: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
The post Sacha, Siya return as Rassie chooses his 43 appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is among a group of ten Boks who have been recalled into Rassie Erasmus’ 43-man squad prepare for the next phase of the international season.
The post Sacha, Siya return as Rassie chooses his 43 appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
