The Springboks have kicked off their preparations for the 2025 season, with a strategic coaches’ meeting followed by a national camp in Cape Town for 56 domestic players. This marks the beginning of the year’s campaign, setting the stage for the upcoming challenges.
The alignment camp, running until 12 March, will consist of two gym sessions and several boardroom meetings to ensure the players are well-prepared for the season’s expectations and standards.
The group includes 18 members of the 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, along with 22 capped national players. Several players who have previously participated in alignment camps or represented South Africa ‘A’ will once again join the coaching staff, such as Celimpilo Gumede, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, and Henco van Wyk. Additionally, new faces like Jurenzo Julius, JF van Heerden, and Reinhardt Ludwig will experience their first Springbok rugby session.
In total, 16 uncapped players have been invited, highlighting Rassie Erasmus’ broad search for talent to kickstart the year.
Uncapped Forwards:
- Ethan Bester
- Neethling Fouche
- Renzo du Plessis
- Francke Horn
- Asenathi Ntlabakanye
- Celimpilo Gumede
- Reinhardt Ludwig
- JF van Heerden
- Cobus Wiese
Uncapped Backs:
- Ethan Hooker
- Jurenzo Julius
- Paul de Wet
- Suleiman Hartzenberg
- Henco van Wyk
- Sebastian de Klerk
- David Kriel
Full List of Invited Players:
Forwards:
- Ethan Bester, Phepsi Buthelezi, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane (Sharks)
- Ben-Jason Dixon, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Deon Fourie, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers)
- Renzo du Plessis, Francke Horn, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter (Lions)
- Johan Grobbelaar, Mpilo 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 (Bulls)
Backs:
- Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams (Sharks)
- Paul de Wet, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse (Stormers)
- Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Henco van Wyk (Lions)
- Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier (Bulls)
