Springboks: Rassie Erasmus adds new face to squad ahead of Barbarians and SA ‘A’ fixtures
Springboks add Stormers lock Adre Smith to squad.
The Springboks have added another player to their squad ahead of fixtures against the Barbarians and the SA ‘A’ match against Zimbabwe on Saturday, June 20 in Gqeberha.
Stormers lock Adre Smith is the latest new face in the side, which takes the number up to 54 players after Carlu Sadie and Phepsi Buthelezi were brought in on Monday.
Smith, who has played over 50 games for the Stormers, joins team-mate Ruben van Heerden in being called in, this after the latter replaced the injured Salmaan Moerat.
Teams named on Tuesday
He will report for duty with the squad on Sunday in Johannesburg, where they will resume their preparations on Monday after spending the weekend with their families.
The squad will depart for the Eastern Cape this Wednesday, with the Springboks and SA ‘A’ outfits having their respective captains’ runs on Friday for Saturday’s clashes.
It is a double header at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this coming weekend.
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Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and SA ‘A’ head coach Mzwandile Stick will unveil their line-ups on Tuesday, with the Bulls players missing due to the URC final.
Stick was confirmed in the job on Wednesday as they return to action for the first time since November 2022, when they lost to Bristol Bears and Munster in away fixtures.
After the upcoming double header, the Boks will ramp up the preparations for the Nations Championship, with the opening Test seeing them take on England at Ellis Park.
Updated 54-man Springboks squad
Forwards: Phepsi Buthelezi, Lood de Jager, Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Neethling Fouche, Bathobele Hlekani, Hanro Jacobs, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, JJ Kotze, Danie Kruger, Sibabalwa Mahashe, Malcolm Marx, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Riley Norton, Zachary Porthen, Oliver Reid, Evan Roos, Carlu Sadie, Adre Smith Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka, Ruben van Heerden Liam van Wyk, Andre-Hugo Venter, Boan Venter, Jasper Wiese
Backs: Yaqeen Ahmed, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Luan Giliomee, Quan Horn, Jurenzo Julius, Imad Khan, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Manie Libbok, Vusi Moyo, Markus Muller, Haashim Pead, Zekhethelo Siyaya, Nico Steyn, Edwill van der Merwe, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams, Jaco Williams
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June 20 fixtures
South Africa A v Zimbabwe Stables
Date: Saturday, 20 June, 2026
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 12:00 (local SAST), 11:00 (UK), 12:00 (France), 12:00 (South Africa), 20:00 (AEST), 22:00 (New Zealand), 07:00 (Argentina), 19:00 (JST), 06:00 (EDT)
Match officials: TBC
Broadcasters: SuperSport (South Africa)
South Africa v Barbarians
Date: Saturday, 20 June, 2026
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 15:00 (local SAST), 14:00 (UK), 15:00 (France), 15:00 (South Africa), 23:00 (AEST), 01:00 (21 June, New Zealand), 10:00 (Argentina), 22:00 (JST), 09:00 (EDT)
Referee: Morné Ferreira (SARU)
Assistant Referees: Griffin Colby (SARU), Hanru van Rooyen (SARU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
