Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named six uncapped players in his 37-man squad for the second leg of the Nations Championship, giving a group of emerging talents the opportunity to push for their Test debuts in November.
Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton and Emmanuel Tshituka have all earned their first Springbok call-ups ahead of South Africa’s final four Tests of the season.
The selections come as the world champions prepare for a demanding northern hemisphere tour without four established stars: Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen and Handre Pollard, who have been ruled out through injury.
Schools
Five of the newcomers attended schools in the Western Cape.
Ahmed matriculated from Wynberg Boys’ High School, De Klerk was educated at Boland Landbou, Luan Giliomee is an old boy of Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr in Ceres, Muller was a standout star at Paarl Gimnasium and Norton captained Paul Roos.
Tshituka, meanwhile, attended Northcliff High School in Randburg.
Erasmus believes the six newcomers have earned their places through consistent performances at franchise level over the past two seasons.
“We’ve had all six players on our radar for a while now, and they’ve delivered consistently for their respective franchises in the last two seasons, so they thoroughly deserve their call-ups,” Erasmus said.
Six new faces in the Springbok squad
Although none of the six has yet earned a Test cap, several have already experienced aspects of the national set-up.
Ahmed, Giliomee, Muller and Tshituka represented the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe, while Norton featured for the Springboks against the Barbarians earlier this season. De Klerk attended the national alignment camp last season.
Their inclusion reflects Erasmus’s continued focus on building depth across the squad, with the November fixtures offering an opportunity to assess additional options against international opposition.
The coach acknowledged that the step up to Test rugby would present a different challenge, but said the wider squad had the experience and understanding of the team’s expectations to help integrate the new players.
Four experienced Springboks unavailable
The six call-ups come against the backdrop of significant injury absences.
Kolbe, Etzebeth, Esterhuizen and Pollard have accumulated a combined 324 Test appearances, leaving South Africa without considerable experience as they prepare for Italy, France and Ireland.
Kolbe has played 53 Tests, Etzebeth 147, Esterhuizen 36 and Pollard 88.
“It’s always sad to lose players of that calibre, but we are pleased with the cover we have in those positions, and it also offers other players the opportunity to put up their hands,” Erasmus said.
“The majority of the players in this group have been with us for most of the season and know what our expectations are, and also what to anticipate at this level.”
The newcomers will therefore have an opportunity to make an impression as South Africa manage its resources during a challenging end to the international season.
Springboks face three tough November Tests
South Africa’s Nations Championship campaign resumes against Italy on Saturday, 7 November, followed by France on Friday, 13 November and Ireland on Saturday, 21 November.
The Springboks are level with New Zealand on 15 points at the top of the Southern Hemisphere standings, with points difference separating the teams.
The results of the remaining league matches will help determine South Africa’s position heading into the Nations Championship Finals Weekend in London from 27 to 29 November.
Not to be underestimated
Erasmus has warned that Italy should not be underestimated, particularly when playing in front of a passionate home crowd. France and Ireland will also provide stern tests, with both teams having won two of their first three Nations Championship matches.
“We need to be sharp, accurate, and adaptable in all our remaining matches to achieve the desired results if we want to finish the league stages as the top team,” Erasmus said.
The Springboks will assemble in Italy in groups on Sunday and Monday to begin preparations for the final stretch of the season.
Springbok squad for second leg of Nations Championship:
Props: Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen (all Stormers), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)
Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Salmaan Moerat (Stade Rochelais), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears), Riley Norton (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Siya Kolisi (both Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Emmanuel Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Marco van Staden (Bulls)
Scrumhalves: Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers)
Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (both Stormers), Luan Giliomee (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners)
Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Markus Muller (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Bulls)
Outside backs: Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Damian Willemse (Stormers)
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