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Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has named 56 players who will assemble in Cape Town next month for their first alignment camp.
This will mark the Boks’ first gathering following a memorable 2024 international season.
But before the group gets together, Erasmus and his management team will host a strategic coaches session.
In a statement, SA Rugby says the group comprises 18 players from the 2023 World Cup Winning squad and players who were invited to previous alignment camps.
Our alignment camps have proven invaluable in the last few years as they offer us the opportunity to present our structures for the season, as well as the Springbok culture and way of doing things,” said Erasmus.
“The focus at this camp will be to get everyone on the same page for the 2025 season, which will be vital in laying a good foundation for us to build on with a challenging campaign coming up.”
He said he is also excited for the new players in the mix, who have made their mark at the franchise level.
“And, we are excited to see them receive this opportunity to get a taste of what is expected of them at the highest level.”
The world champions and Castle Lager Rugby Championship title holders face Italy in back-to-back Tests on 5 and 12 July, followed by a clash against Georgia on 19 July in the Castle Lager Incoming Series.
They will launch their defence of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title in August, with successive matches against Australia in South Africa (on 16 and 23 August), before travelling to New Zealand where they will face their arch-rivals, the All Blacks, in Auckland and Wellington (on 6 and 13 September).
The team will return to South Africa for a clash against Argentina (27 September) and will wrap up their campaign with the closing match of the 2025 edition of the southern hemisphere showpiece against Argentina at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in London (4 October).
The venues for the domestic Test matches will be announced in due course.
Players invited to Springbok alignment camp:
Forwards: Ethan Bester, Phepsi Buthelezi, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane (all Hollywoodbets Sharks); Ben-Jason Dixon, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Deon Fourie, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter (all DHL Stormers); Renzo du Plessis, Francke Horn, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter (all Emirates Lions); Johan Grobbelaar, Celimpilo Gumede, Cameron Hanekom, Wilco Louw, Reinhardt Ludwig, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Akker van der Merwe, JF van Heerden, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Vodacom Bulls).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams (all Hollywoodbets Sharks); Paul de Wet, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse (all DHL Stormers); Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Henco van Wyk (all Emirates Lions); Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier (all Vodacom Bulls).
