Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named a 39-man squad for the upcoming Castle Lager Incoming Series, which kicks off with a challenging two-Test series against Ireland on 6 July. The squad features nine players unavailable for the Wales Test and four uncapped players.
The four uncapped players are hooker Johan Grobbelaar, front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels, loose forward Pepsi Buthelezi (loose forward) and Morne van der Berg (back). Backs Cheslin Kolbe (wing) and Lukhanyo Am (centre) are back after recovering from injuries.
Handre Pollard (flyhalf) and Jasper Wiese, who trained with the team but were ineligible for the Wales Test due to scheduling, are included. Wiese will be available after serving his suspension for a dangerous tackle.
The squad also features 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup winners Siya Kolisi and RG Snyman, who joined the squad after club commitments. Marco van Staden (flanker), Kurt-Lee Arendse (utility back), and Willie le Roux (fullback) join after the Vodacom Bulls’ United Rugby Championship victory.
Three players who debuted against Wales – Edwill van der Merwe (wing), Ben-Jason Dixon (utility forward), and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (utility back) – are also included.
The squad comprises 22 forwards and 17 backs. Erasmus will name the captain closer to the Ireland Test.
Three players – Faf de Klerk (quadriceps), Van der Merwe (shoulder), and Mapimpi (hamstring) – picked up niggles in the Wales Test. However, Erasmus is confident with the cover provided by Arendse, Kolbe, and Am.
A 14-player standby list includes six capped Springboks and eight development players who were part of the traveling squad to London. These players will train with the main squad at intervals and can be called up for the Portugal Test due to potential injuries during the Ireland series.
Eight players missed selection due to injuries, including Steven Kitshoff (prop), Jean Kleyn and Lood de Jager (locks), and Damian Willemse (utility back).
“We named the best available squad for the Castle Incoming Series,” Erasmus said. “Squad depth is a key pillar as we build towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The standby list allows us to expose young players to Test rugby.”
Erasmus highlighted the importance of experience and the impact of young players who impressed during the Wales training camp. He welcomed the uncapped players and expects them to make the most of the opportunity.
The standby players could be considered for the Portugal Test, continuing the focus on developing future Springboks. Erasmus plans to integrate them into training sessions over the next few weeks.
The 39-man squad arrived in Pretoria on Tuesday after a travel delay and will resume training. They will return home for the weekend before resuming preparations for the opening Test against Ireland at Loftus Versfeld on July 1st.
Springbok Squad for Castle Lager Incoming Series
Forwards (22):
- Phepsi Buthelezi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
- Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers)
- Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz)
- Thomas du Toit (Bath)
- Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
- Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls)
- Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
- Siya Kolisi (Racing 92)
- Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers)
- Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)
- Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
- Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers)
- Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)
- Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
- Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92/Hollywoodbets Sharks)
- Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)
- Kwagga Smith (Blu Revs)
- RG Snyman (Munster/Leinster)
- Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls)
- Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls)
- Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls)
- Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)
Backs (17):
- Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
- Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls)
- Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)
- Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) (injured – quadriceps)
- Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins/Hollywoodbets Sharks)
- Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers)
- Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath)
- Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)
- Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls)
- Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers)
- Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) (injured – hamstring)
- Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
- Cobus Reinach (Montpellier)
- Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions)
- Edwill van der Merwe (Emirates Lions) (injured – shoulder)
- Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Players on Standby (14):
Forwards (9):
- Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks)
- Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers)
- Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers)
- Celimpilo Gumede (position not specified)
- Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls)
- Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls)
- Ntuthuko Mchunu (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
- Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers)
- Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers)
Backs (5):
- Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL Stormers)
- Jordan Hendrikse (Emirates Lions)
- Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
- Quan Horn (Emirates Lions)
- Siya Masuku (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Springbok Fixtures:
- Saturday, June 22nd: South Africa vs. Wales (Twickenham, London)
- Saturday, July 6th: South Africa vs. Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
- Saturday, July 13th: South Africa vs. Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
- Saturday, July 20th: South Africa vs. Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
- Saturday, August 10th: Australia vs. South Africa (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
- Saturday, August 17th: Australia vs. South Africa (Optus Stadium, Perth)
- Saturday, August 31st: South Africa vs. New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
- Saturday, September 7th: South Africa vs. New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
- Saturday, September 21st: Argentina vs. South Africa (Estadio Unico Madre Ciudades, Santiago)
- Saturday, September 28th: South Africa vs. Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
- Sunday, November 10th: Scotland vs. South Africa (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
- Saturday, November 16th: England vs. South Africa (Twickenham, London)
- Saturday, November 23rd: Wales vs. South Africa (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)