South Africa has announced their team for the two Rugby Championship Tests at home against Australia next month as they start their title defense. Notably, double World Cup winners Lukhanyo Am, Faf de Klerk, and Makazola Mapimpi are not included in the squad.
The experienced players will be on a standby list in case of injuries. Coach Rassie Erasmus revealed a 37-player roster on Wednesday to compete against the Wallabies in Johannesburg on August 16 and in Cape Town the following week.
Recent newcomers Ethan Hooker (utility back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Boan Venter (both props), Marnus van der Merwe (hooker), and Cobus Wiese (utility forward) have all made the team.
Bath prop Thomas du Toit will take a mandatory two-week break, as agreed with the English Premiership. Meanwhile, number eight Jasper Wiese, who is Cobus’s brother, is serving a four-week suspension.
Erasmus has already used nearly 50 players in three tests this year as he aims to strengthen the team with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in view.
“It’s always tough to narrow down the squad, especially since many players showed their skills in our wins against Italy and Georgia this month,” Erasmus said. “But we have always planned to choose a smaller, more manageable group during the Rugby Championship.”
“We likely have three players available for each position. One of our main goals as a team is to build depth, and there’s no better way to see what some younger players can do than by having them face some of the best teams in the world.”
The Springboks have also invited three players from South Africa’s winning Under-20 World Cup team to train with them for experience. They are loose-forward Bathobele Hlekani, wing Cheswill Jooste, and scrumhalf Haashim Pead, who stood out in the tournament.
South Africa Squad
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese.
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg and Grant Williams.
