The Springboks training squad will be cut down following the commencement of the URC final.
Rassie Erasmus is currently training a group of 55 Springboks.
However, this is just the preliminary training squad. Meaning, a lot of these players will be cut from the group and sent back to their clubs. In fact, as mentioned, Rassie will announce a smaller squad straight after the United Rugby Championship final between Leinster and the Bulls.
Let’s take a look at the players likely to be cut.
SPRINGBOKS LIKELY TO BE CUT FROM TRAINING SQUAD
- Asenathi Ntlabakanye
- Neethling Fouche
- Ntutuko Mchuno
- Marnus Van Der Merwe
- Cobus Wiese
- Jean Kleyn/Salmaan Moerat
- Renzo Du Plessis
First things first, credit must be given to every one of the 55 players who earned a call-up to the recent Springboks training camp.
All of these players will have gained priceless experience having trained with Bok veterans. Furthermore, the fact that they were called up means they did enough to be in the picture. As well as making a mark in Rassie and the Bok selectors minds.
“We will wait to see if there are any injuries from the URC final and then announce the group of players on Sunday that will get together next week,” Rassie told the SA Rugby media.
With that being said, the aforementioned players are likely to be sent home when Rassie announces his shortened training squad after the URC final.
HUGE URC FORM NOT ENOUGH
Up front, Ntlanakanye, Fouche and Mchuno have been huge for the Lions, Stormers and Sharks respectively. They worked hard to earn their call-ups.
However, they are all unlikely to uproot the likes of Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch or Gerhard Steenakamp (who is on his way back from injury). Even with Frans Malherbe out injured. There is more than enough depth at prop.
Van Der Merwe had a massive season for Scarlets in the URC but he will not be replacing Springbok locks Malcolm Marx or Bongi Mbonambi any time soon. Whilst, Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been massive for the Bulls and his versatility (he plays prop too) makes him a huge asset for the Boks.
WORLD CLASS BOK LOCKS LOCKED IN AND RARING TO GO
Either Kleyn or Moerat could be cut due to the sheer magnitude of world class locks in the current Springboks squad.
RG Snyman has been one of the best players in the 2014/24 URC season. Likewise, Bulls skipper Ruan Nortje has been huge en route to leading the Bulls to yet another URC final. Meanwhile, Lood de Jager is back in the mix. He is joined by another Bok veteran, Franco Mostert. Both players are keen to stamp their authority after missing most of last season. Lood has been out since before the 2023 Rugby World Cup and Mostert only played in the final Bok test of 2024 against Wales last year.
Finally, Boks are awaiting an update on the all-time most capped Springboks player, Eben Etzebeth.
WHICH SPRINGBOKS FORWARDS SHOULD BE SENT HOME?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/springboks-seven-forwards-likely-to-be-cut/
