Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a group of 54 players for the second alignment camp that includes three new invitees.

Northampton Saints star Juarno Augustus is one of the new additions after playing a starring role in the Investec Champions Cup victory over Leinster.

The number eight is joined by Sharks star and Congolese-born Vincent Tshituka, who recently became eligible for the Springboks having received his South African ID book last month.

But perhaps the most surprising inclusion is that of Ntokozo Makhaza who recently signed for the Cheetahs off the back of yet another outstanding Varsity Cup campaign with Ikeys. The exciting outside back is yet to play a full-fledged professional match.

Springbok alignment camp

The camp will take place in person in Cape Town for local players, and virtually for players based outside South Africa, on Thursday 22 May and Friday 23 May, respectively.

36 players will attend the in-person camp, with 18 players currently plying their trade abroad in Japan and the northern hemisphere joining virtually, training schedule permitting.

The group includes eight uncapped players in Augustus, Tshituka, Makhaza, Renzo du Plessis, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Marnus van der Merwe and Cobus Wiese.

Meanwhile, Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie, and Trevor Nyakane are the five players who were not considered for the alignment camp due to injuries. A notable absentee from the group is, however, Stormers star Evan Roos.

“It’s always difficult to reduce the size of the squad with the abundance of talent in South African rugby, but we were limited in the number of players we could select for the camp, and we are confident that we have sufficient cover in all positions within this group,” Erasmus explained.

SA Rugby confirms that the camp will include a series of boardroom sessions over the two days as the Boks gear up for the international season, which kicks off on Saturday 28 June with the first-ever home game between the Springboks and Barbarians.

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“This is an exciting bunch of players who have all made their mark in their respective competitions this season, and we are thrilled to invite a few talented new players to the camp,” Bok coach Erasmus said.

“They have all made a strong statement in big competitions under immense pressure at times, so we are looking forward to working with them.”

Erasmus added that the team’s preparations for the season were at an advanced stage: “The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season, and all the operational and logistical aspects are in place for everything to run as smoothly as possible, so we are excited for the season ahead.”

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Players invited to Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town

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, Edwill van der Merwe (both Emirates Lions), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp

Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (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)

Springboks 2025 fixtures

28 June: Barbarians v Springboks – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
5 July: Springboks v Italy – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
12 July: Springboks v Italy –  Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
19 July: Springboks v Georgia – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
16 August: Springboks v Australia – Ellis Park, Johannesburg
23 August: Springboks v Australia – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
6 September: New Zealand v Springboks – Eden Park, Auckland
13 September: v New Zealand v Springboks, Wellington
27 September: Springboks v Argentina – Kings Park, Durban
4 October: Argentina v Springboks – Twickenham Stadium, London
8 November: vs France – Stade de France, Paris
15 November: vs Italy, TBC
22 November: vs Ireland – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
29 November: vs Wales – Principality Stadium, Cardiff

READ MORE: ‘Signing of the season’ hopes Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus will recognise his ‘talent’

Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/springboks-rassie-erasmus-shocks-with-semi-pro-sensation-and-juarno-augustus-call-ups-while-evan-roos-misses-second-alignment-camp