Earlier this month it was confirmed that Juarno Augustus, Vincent Tshituka, and Ntokozo Makhaza had been invited to their first Springbok alignment camp, which has just concluded this week.
Augustus, who was named the World Rugby U20 Player of the Year after a sterling performance for the Junior Boks in Georgia in 2017, was one of the newcomers who joined a virtual session.
Meanwhile, Varsity Cup star Ntokozo Makhaza earned a surprise call-up along with Congo-born Vincent Tshituka, who has just qualified to play for South Africa.
The Springboks will launch their 2025 season on Saturday, 28 June against the Barbarians in Cape Town, before embarking on the Incoming Series and Rugby Championship, and will wrap up the season with the traditional end-of-the-year tour.
“One could sense the excitement and enthusiasm among the players and coaches to be back together, and to align on our objectives and plans for the season,” said Erasmus.
“It was also great to have the new additions to the squad, Vincent Tshituka and Ntokozo Makhaza, at the camp, as well as Juarno Augustus, who was one of the players invited to join online, where they were exposed to our structures for the first time.
“They gelled in quickly, and it was encouraging to see how they soaked up the information presented to them.
“They are all very talented players, and it was evident how proud they were to have this opportunity to rub shoulders with this group of players, some of whom have been with us since 2018, and to learn from them and the coaches,” he added.
“It was also fantastic to see how they interacted with the more experienced players and tried to learn from them, and the coaches in their respective departments.”
Excitement builds for Springboks
Players invited to Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town (in alphabetical order):
Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Emirates Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Emirates Lions), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp (in alphabetical order):
Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (both Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets).
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier).
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS LATEST SQUAD?
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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/rassie-erasmus-it-was-great-to-meet-springbok-newcomers/
