Rassie Erasmus, the Springbok coach, has announced a 40-man squad for the upcoming alignment camp, with a focus on the rapidly approaching international season kick-off in late June, as well as the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
The squad includes 10 uncapped players, such as Sibabalwe Mahashe, Zekhethelo Siyaya, and Bathobele Hlekani, who have been rewarded for their outstanding form in the United Rugby Championship (URC). Mahashe, a 22-year-old loose forward, has been a standout performer for the Lions, while Siyaya, an 18-year-old fullback, has impressed with his performances for the Sharks.
Springbok Squad Selection
The squad comprises 25 forwards and 15 backs, indicating that Erasmus is planning not just for the July matches against England, Scotland, and Wales, but also for next year’s World Cup. The squad does not include players based overseas, such as those playing in Japan, and injured players who know the Bok set-up inside out have not been included.
According to Erasmus, the camp will be purpose-driven, with a focus on exposing the players to the Springbok environment, standards, and way of operating. As stated on the South African Rugby website, the objective of the alignment camp is to prepare the players for the upcoming international season.
Uncapped Players
The 10 uncapped players in the squad are: Paul de Villiers, Bathobele Hlekani, Francke Horn, Sibabalwe Mahashe, Riley Norton, Haashim Pead, Zekhethelo Siyaya, Emmanuel Tshituka, Henco van Wyk, and Jaco Williams.
Erasmus has emphasized that the players who will not be present, whether through injury or workload, remain in the plans, and each one of them is on their own path with their own set of timelines. The squad will give the coaching team the chance to align those who are fit and firing now with the way they want to operate.
For more information on the Springbok squad and the upcoming international season, visit the Wikipedia page on the South Africa national rugby union team.
- Sibabalwe Mahashe
- Zekhethelo Siyaya
- Bathobele Hlekani
- Paul de Villiers
- Francke Horn
- Riley Norton
- Haashim Pead
- Emmanuel Tshituka
- Henco van Wyk
- Jaco Williams
