New era Springboks as Rassie Erasmus calls up 16 uncapped players for alignment camp

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has invited 43 players to his first alignment camp as the team gathers for the first time since their Rugby World Cup 2023 triumph.

The group includes 39 local players as well as four Japan-based stars who are currently doing their rehabilitation in South Africa.

The squad will gather for two days of boardroom sessions in Cape Town during the first week of March.

First Springboks squad of 2024

Erasmus’ first alignment camp ramps up the Springboks‘ preparations for the upcoming two-Test series against Ireland in July as well as one-off match against Portugal and the Rugby Championship.

The head coach has invited a mix of experience and youth as 19 members of the 2023 World Cup squad have been included, along with 16 uncapped players and 27 capped internationals.

The camp will also see the squad meet up with the new coaching staff members, including Tony Brown, Jerry Flannery, Jaco Peyper and ex-Springbok forward Duane Vermeulen.

“We are delighted that the new coaching team will meet in person for the first time and that we will have the opportunity to present solid structures and the Springbok culture and way of doing things to the invited players,” Erasmus said.

“The focus at this camp will be to get everyone on the same page for the 2024 season and we believe this will lay a good foundation for us looking forward.

“Jerry (Flannery) and Tony (Brown) are going to play vital roles in this coaching team, and we are excited to see them along with our other coaching staff put proper steps into action as we prepare for the challenging season ahead.”

Rassie Erasmus ‘knew’ Siya Kolisi would ‘struggle’ as Springboks captain

New faces and experienced campaigners

Overseas-based Springboks are understandably not available for the camps due to their club commitments, while there are some notable absentees locally, including in-form Stormers number eight Hacjivah Dayimani and Bulls scrum-half Embrose Papier.

“This bunch of players includes several individuals who have been part of our structures in the last six years, and their experience and familiarity with the way we do things at the Springboks, will be invaluable in guiding the younger players, while others have been exposed to it before by representing the SA ‘A’ team that faced Munster and the Bristol Bears in November 2022,” Erasmus added.

“There are also a few new players in the mix, who have proven their worth at provincial level and we are excited to see them receive this opportunity and get a real feel about what is expected of them at the highest level.”

This is the first of three Springbok camps ahead of the upcoming Test season.

Nigel Owens: The ‘crucial’ thing Jaco Peyper will add to the Springboks

The 43-player Springboks alignment camp squad

Forwards: Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche*, Johan Grobbelaar*, Celimpilo Gumede*, Cameron Hanekom*, Andre-Hugo Venter*, Vincent Koch, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Salmaan Moerat, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marnus van der Merwe*, Ruben van Heerden*, Marco van Staden, Ruan Venter*, Jan-Hendrik Wessels*

Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Faf de Klerk, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu*, Suleiman Hartzenberg*, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse*, Quan Horn*, Herschel Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Sanele Nohamba*, Morne van den Berg*, Henco van Wyk*, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse

* Denotes uncapped players

READ MORE: Siya Kolisi explains why ‘everybody buys into’ Rassie Erasmus’ plans