Rassie sticks with World Cup winners for November tour

Rugby
  • 11 Hours Ago
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus sent a clear signal out on the Bok intentions going into their three-match November tour by selecting close to his strongest available squad, rather than continuing to experiment and blood young talent on the tour.

Erasmus selected a 34-man squad that included 28 Rugby World Cup winners from 2023 for the side’s three match tour that will include tests against Scotland, England and Wales over the course of November.

The decision meant that several players who had become part of the squad during the Incoming Tours and Rugby Championship were excluded while others that have been pressing hard for selection – including the likes of Bulls prop Wilco Louw and loose forward Cameron Hanekom, will have to wait longer to get their chance.

There was also a long injury list of players that could not be selected, including the likes of World Cup winners Faf de Klerk, Lood de Jager and Steven Kitshoff, who are all on the sidelines at the moment, as well as others who are injured such as utility back Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, flanker Ruan Venter and lock Salmaan Moerat.

The decision to select the tried and tested core that won back-to-back World Cup tournaments shows the seriousness that Erasmus and his management are taking this tour, and the hope they will return home unbeaten.

The other part is that with the British and Irish Lions touring Australia in 2025, and France heading to New Zealand, the Incoming Tours next season will be a combination of Italy and Georgia, which will be ample time to give some of the younger players time to settle in at national level.

With all of that in mind, there are very few surprises in the squad, which has a very familiar look and feel to it.

Springbok squad

Forwards: Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese

Backs: Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Damian Willemse