Springboks welcome world champions to All Blacks showdown
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has called up three Rugby World Cup winners for the first time this year. Steven Kitshoff (prop), Jaden Hendrikse (scrum half) and Canan Moodie (all-rounder) have returned from injury in time for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship Tests against New Zealand.
In addition to these three players, Erasmus has also recalled Jasper Wiese (No. 8), Andre Esterhuizen (centre) and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (lock). This expanded 37-man squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Thursday, ahead of two sold-out tests against their arch-rivals, which will take place at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on August 31 and at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on September 7.
Despite the notable additions, the Springbok squad still faces several injury issues, with locks Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager and Jean Kleyn remaining out, opening the door for Janse van Rensburg to receive his second Test call-up after last featuring for the national team in 2021.
The current squad is very similar to the team that won historic victories in Australia, as 31 of the 33 players who toured Australasia have remained in the squad. The Springboks scored their first full points against the Wallabies in Brisbane and Perth, marking their first consecutive wins on an Australasian tour since 1998.
With Hendrikse recovering from a shoulder injury and Kitshoff and Moodie back from knee and finger injuries, Erasmus was confident his team has depth. The players who were left out of the current squad – Morne van den Berg and Johan Grobbelaar – remain on standby and ready to step in should injuries arise.
“New Zealand is one of the best teams in the world and they always push us to the limit,” said Erasmus. “It’s great to have Steven, Jaden and Canan back with us after their injuries, alongside Jasper and Andre. Their experience and skills will be crucial for these upcoming tests.”
Despite the challenges, Erasmus is optimistic, noting that RG Snyman, who sustained a minor foot injury while training in Brisbane, could be available for the first Test in Johannesburg. Erasmus is also excited by the potential of younger players who have impressed the coaching team this season.
After the tests against New Zealand, the Springboks travel to Argentina for the next phase of the championship before ending their campaign with a final game in Nelspruit.
Springbok squad for the New Zealand leg of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship:
props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls ). ).
Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier).
Loose strikers: Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Captain, Racing 92), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls ). ), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers).
Scrum-half: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Connector: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).
Centers: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Full-back: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).
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