Newly crowned Rugby Championship winners, South Africa, have bolstered their squad with the return of four World Cup-winning players for their upcoming tour of the United Kingdom next month.
The Springboks are set to take on Scotland, England, and Wales in November as they aim to reclaim the top spot in the world rankings. Head coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled locks Franco Mostert and RG Snyman, centre Andre Esterhuizen, and full-back Damian Willemse. This squad remains settled, with no uncapped players. Willemse, last featured in the 2023 World Cup final, has recovered from a finger injury and will be vying for the No. 15 jersey.
Mostert, Snyman, and Esterhuizen played for the Boks this year but missed the victorious Rugby Championship due to injuries. Snyman was sidelined with a foot injury ahead of the Championship’s first match against Australia but has since regained form as a Leinster player. Esterhuizen has started every match for the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Mostert has yet to return to action due to the off-season in Japan, but he has fully recovered from a broken leg sustained in July during a match against Ireland.
Locks Salmaan Moerat and Lood de Jager remain unavailable due to knee and shoulder injuries. Promising young player Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is still out with a knee issue, while prop Steven Kitshoff is recovering from a neck injury.
Looking ahead to the tour, Erasmus emphasized their challenge, noting their opponents’ strength and the impact of home support in the UK. “We know how much their home crowds lift them, just like our passionate fans do, so we’re well aware of what it will take to succeed,” he said. “While winning the Rugby Championship gives us confidence, it’s in the past now, and that only makes the opposition more motivated to make a statement against us.”
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls).
Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster).
Back-rows: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).
Scrum-halves: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Fly-halves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside backs: 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), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
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