Rassie Erasmus has named a 40-man squad for the upcoming Springbok alignment camp, including 10 uncapped players and a first-time call-up for 18-year-old Zekhethelo Siyaya. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a "purpose and goal-driven" 40-man squad for the team’s second alignment camp in Cape Town next week, featuring two newcomers in Lions flank Sibabalwe Mahashe and 18-year-old Sharks full-back Zekhethelo Siyaya.
Embrose Papier, Francke Horn, Andre-Hugo Venter, and Henco van Wyk, who were not invited to the March camp, have also been included in the group for the in-person gathering.
With several experienced Springboks sidelined due to injury, Erasmus said the purpose of this camp was to expose the above players to the team’s structures and systems with an eye on the next two seasons and beyond. A second virtual alignment camp for overseas-based players will be hosted following the conclusion of this session.
The camp squad — which comprises 25 forwards and 15 backline players — will run from next week Tuesday to Thursday. Included are 10 uncapped players: Paul de Villiers, Bathobele Hlekani, Francke Horn, Mahashe, Riley Norton, Haashim Pead, Siyaya, Emmanuel Tshituka, Van Wyk, and Jaco Williams.
Six of the players above attended the first alignment camp in March.
"This is an exciting group of players, and it's been pleasing to see them make their presence felt in the United Rugby Championship and during their teams’ Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup campaigns," said Erasmus.
"This camp will be a good opportunity to expose those invited to our setup and the standards expected of the national coaches. We're looking forward to involving Sibabalwe, Zekhethelo, Andre, Embrose, Francke, and Henco at this camp as we continue to build our squad depth."
The Springboks' 2026 international season kicks off on 20 June against the Barbarians in Gqeberha, followed by home Tests against England, Scotland, and Wales.
Forwards: Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Neethling Fouche, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Salmaan Moerat, Riley Norton, Zachary Porthen, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter (all Stormers); Bathobele Hlekani, Francke Horn, Sibabalwe Mahashe, Asenathi Ntlabakanye (all Lions); Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls); Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, Emmanuel Tshituka (all Sharks)
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier, Handre Pollard (all Bulls); Andre Esterhuizen, Zekhethelo Siyaya, Edwill van der Merwe, Grant Williams, Jaco Williams (all Sharks); Quan Horn, Haashim Pead, Henco van Wyk, Morne van den Berg (all Lions); Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse (both Stormers)