The Springboks’ plotting and planning for the 2025 season is now under way, and following an in-person coaches’ strategic session, 56 domestic players will gather in Cape Town for the first national camp of the year.

The alignment camp, which is set to conclude on Wednesday 12 March, will comprise two gymnasium sessions and a series of boardroom meetings to get the players up to speed on the requirements and expected standards for season.

The group includes 18 members of the 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, with an additional 22 capped national players named in the group.

A handful of players will get to work with the coaching staff once again after either being involved in previous alignment camps or the national set-up, as well as the South African ‘A’ team. This group includes the likes of Celimpilo Gumede, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Henco van Wyk, while players such as Jurenzo Julius, JF van Heerden, and Reinhardt Ludwig will get their first taste of Springbok rugby.

In fact, in total there are 16 uncapped players, and the list does make for interesting reading as Rassie Erasmus casts his net wide at the start of 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

All 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 Sharks); Ben-Jason Dixon, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Deon Fourie, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter (all Stormers); Renzo du Plessis, Francke Horn, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter (all 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 (all Bulls).

Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams (all Sharks); Paul de Wet, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse (all Stormers); Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Henco van Wyk (all Lions); Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier (all Bulls).

WHICH SELECTION ARE YOU MOST SURPRISED BY?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/full-list-all-uncapped-players-in-first-springbok-camp/