Six New Faces as Rassie Names 46-Man Springbok Squad

Rassie has unveiled a 46-man Springbok squad for the upcoming Nations Championship, and while the core of the group remains familiar, there are six uncapped players who have been handed an opportunity to force their way into the Test arena.

After two weeks of training camps, a dominant victory over the Barbarians and a convincing SA 'A' win over Zimbabwe, Erasmus has rewarded a number of standout performers with places in the squad that will begin preparations for the opening Test against England in Joburg on 4 July.

The six players still waiting for their first Springbok cap are prop Carlu Sadie, lock Ruben van Heerden, utility forward Riley Norton, flanker Paul de Villiers, flyhalf Vusi Moyo and wing Jaco Williams.

All six impressed during the recent camps (with Paul De Villiers in particular performing best on the fitness tests) and now find themselves one step closer to becoming Springboks. The squad also sees the return of two familiar names. Herschel Jantjies is back in the national setup for the first time since 2023, while Embrose Papier has earned a recall after a stellar season with the Bulls. For Papier, it marks his first Springbok call-up since 2018 and is further recognition of the form that saw him crowned the URC Player of the Season.

With the Bulls only recently completing their URC campaign, several key players return to the Springbok environment this week. Cameron Hanekom, Handré Pollard, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Ruan Nortje, Wilco Louw and Johan Grobbelaar headline a strong Bulls contingent that will add further depth and experience to the group.

The squad remains loaded with proven Test performers too. World Cup winners such as Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse provide a strong foundation, while younger players continue to push for greater involvement in what is becoming one of the most competitive Springbok environments in history.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the announcement is Erasmus' continued commitment to expanding South Africa's depth. The Springbok coach has consistently spoken about building a larger pool of international-quality players, and the inclusion of six uncapped players suggests that process remains a priority despite the demands of a major international season.

The Nations Championship will provide another opportunity to test that depth.

The Springboks begin their campaign against England at Ellis Park before hosting Scotland in Pretoria and Wales in Durban. They will then travel to Buenos Aires in August for a one-off Test against Argentina.

For the established stars, it's another chance to cement their places. For the six uncapped players, it could be the start of a journey they have spent their entire careers dreaming about.

Springbok squad for the Nations Championship:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Begles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh).

Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers).

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers).

Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon (both DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Riley Norton (DHL Stormers), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Vodacom Bulls).

Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls), Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls).

Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe, Jaco Williams (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).