Springboks name 51-man squad

Rassie Erasmus has named a 51-man Springbok squad featuring 21 uncapped players for South Africa’s first training camp of the season in Johannesburg.

-The group has been selected with the upcoming double-header against the Barbarians and the SA ‘A’ match against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha in mind.

Springboks Name 51-Man Training Squad

The Springboks will begin their first training camp of the season in Johannesburg on Monday as Erasmus starts preparations for a busy international schedule.

The squad includes a mix of established players, overseas-based Springboks and several young prospects. Bulls players were not available for selection after the franchise reached the United Rugby Championship final against Leinster.

Rassie Erasmus Includes 21 Uncapped Players

Erasmus has included 21 uncapped players in the extended squad, with several junior players earning a chance to train in the Springbok environment.

The rookie group includes SA U20 players Yaqeen Ahmed, Danie Kruger, Luan Giliomee, Vusi Moyo, Oliver Reid and Liam van Wyk. Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Markus Muller and Zekhethelo Siyaya have also been included after featuring in the expanded Springbok alignment camp squad.

Other uncapped players named include Paul de Villiers, Bathobele Hlekani, Hanro Jacobs, Jurenzo Julius, Imad Khan, JJ Kotze, Sibabalwa Mahashe, Haashim Pead, Nico Steyn, Emmanuel Tshituka and Jaco Williams.

Springboks Prepare For Barbarians And SA ‘A’ Fixtures

The camp will help South Africa prepare for the Springboks’ clash with the Barbarians and the SA ‘A’ fixture against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha on June 20.

Japanese-based players who have completed club commitments will join the camp from the start, while UK-based players will report after their seasons end under World Rugby Regulation 9.

The Springbok squad for the Nations Championship matches against England, Scotland and Wales will be announced on June 21 after the URC final.

South Africa squad:

Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Paul de Villiers (Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Bathobele Hlekani (Lions), Hanro Jacobs (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), JJ Kotze (Stormers), Danie Kruger (Stormers), Sibabalwa Mahashe (Lions), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Siphosethu Mnebelele (Bulls), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Riley Norton (Stormers), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Oliver Reid (Stormers), Evan Roos (Stormers), Emmanuel Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)

Backs: Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers) Lukhanyo Am (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Jurenzo Julius (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Imad Khan (Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Markus Muller (Stormers), Haashim Pead (Lions), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Nico Steyn (Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)