By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a group of 54 players for the second alignment camp that includes three new invitees.
The camps will take place in person in Cape Town for local players on May 22 and virtually for players based outside South Africa on May 23.
Thirty-six players will attend the in-person camp, with 18 players plying their trade abroad in Japan and the northern hemisphere joining virtually, their training schedules permitting.
Northampton Saints star Juarno Augustus, Vincent Tshituka and Ntokozo Makhaza invited to their first national alignment camps.
Augustus, who was named the World Rugby Under-20 Player of the Year after a sterling performance for the Junior Boks in Georgia in 2017, has been a standout player for the Northampton Saints this season. Congolese-born Tshituka recently received his South African ID, clearing him to represent South Africa.
Makhaza will join the Cheetahs for the Currie Cup after being named 2024 FNB Varsity Cup Player of the Tournament, turning out for 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 — Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane — were not considered due to injuries.
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 June 28 with the first-ever home game between the Springboks and Barbarians.
This will be followed by the Incoming Series, the Rugby Championship and the traditional end-of-the-year tour in November.
Erasmus was pleased with the quality of the group named.
“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,” he said.
“They have all made a strong statement in big competitions under immense pressure at times.”
Players invited to in-person Springbok alignment camp (alphabetical)
Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, André Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Players invited to virtual Springbok camp
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), Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier).
Meanwhile South Africa’s referee Aimee Barrett-Theron will be officiating at another Women’s World Cup in England later this year.
World Rugby confirmed the panel of 22 match officials appointed to the World Cup with less than 100 days to go before the global event kicks off.
World Cup 2025 kicks off in Sunderland on August 22.
The four most-capped female referees in test history have been selected in Sara Cox (England), Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Hollie Davidson (Scotland), and Aurélie Groizeleau (France), with nine of the panel having been involved in the Women’s World Cup 2021 in New Zealand.
A total of 22 match officials (10 referees, six assistant referees, and six Television Match Officials) representing 12 nations with more than 351 test appearances between them will take charge of the 32 matches from 22 August to
September 27.
