@Springboks
It will be back to the grindstone for the Springboks on Monday as they prepare for the first match of the test season later this month.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus named a 35-player squad for the team’s first official training camp of the season in Pretoria ahead of the 22 June clash against Wales in London.
The uncapped players in the squad are Jordan Hendrikse, Quan Horn, Edwill van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg, all from the Emirates Lions, with Phepsi Buthelezi, Siya Masuku, Ethan Hooker from the Hollywoodbets Sharks in the mix.
The others are Ben-Jason Dixon, Sacha Feinberg-Mgomezulu, Neethling Fouche, and Andre-Hugo Venter from the DHL Stormers.
SA Rugby said players based in Europe, the UK, and Ireland will not be considered for the Boks’ first Test of the season against Wales at Twickenham.
“Players in contention from the Vodacom Bulls, who advanced to the semi-final of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, were also not considered for this squad."
The team includes 19 forwards and 16 backs. Rugby World Cup-winning flyhalf Handre Pollard and No. 8 Jasper Wiese (who is serving a six-week ban) have been named in the group and will be allowed to train with their team-mates, but will only be available for selection after the Wales Test.
“We selected a group of players featuring a good mix of youth and experience, and in terms of the young players especially, we believe they have the potential to make the step up to top international rugby,” said Erasmus.
Steven Kitshoff, Lood de Jager and Jaden Hendrikse among a handful of players were not considered for the squad due to injury.
The Wales Test will be followed by the Castle Lager Incoming Series which features back-to-back Tests against Ireland in Pretoria and Durban on 6 and 13 July respectively, and a historic first Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein on 20 July.
The Boks will then turn their attention to the Castle Lager Rugby Championship in August before the traditional end-of-year tour to the UK.
Congratulations to the 11 uncapped players who were invited to the #Springboks training camp in Pretoria - full squad here: https://t.co/Yx4JHQpV66 ????#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/Co2b9E5Prd
— Springboks (@Springboks) June 8, 2024
