The Springboks will be cutting several players from their squad. In fact, Rassie Erasmus will be sending many players back home to their clubs.
Rassie Erasmus named an unchanged 23-man Springboks squad for the second test against the Irish at Durban on 13 July 2024.
Interestingly, SA Rugby has confirmed that several players will be cut. Meanwhile, thes players sent home have not been named yet. However, through insight and deductions we reveal the list of players likely to be sent home.
FULL LIST OF PLAYERS LIKELY TO BE SENT HOME
- Pepsi Buthelezi
- Ben-Jason Dixon
- Joseph Dweba
- Neethling Fouche
- Celimpilo Gumede
- Sleigh Louw
- Wilco Louw
- Ntuthuko Mchuno
- Ruben van Heerden
- Suleman Hartzenberg
- Jordan Hendrikse
- Ethan Hooker
- Quan Horn
- Siya Masuko
- Andre-Hugo Venter
- Jan-Hendrik Wessels
- Morne van den Berg
- Edwill van der Merwe
Ultimately, with Erasmus retaining the same 23-players, 16 squad members will not feature. Additionally, the players on standby are likely to return home before joining up with the squad again on Sunday.
Therefore, the remaining squad members and the players on standby will likely return to their Currie Cup teams. Moreover, the players plying their trade abroad in the UK, Europe or Japan) will likely stay. Meaning, the likes of du Toit, Nyakane, Esterhuizen and Reinach will likely remain in the squad. This is because it does not make sense for these playing to fly so far just to return on Saturday. Meanwhile, the European rugby season is over as well.
“Erasmus also announced that a handful of players would be released from the 39-man squad to appear in the Carling Currie Cup matches this weekend. The players who will be released will be confirmed on Wednesday and will rejoin the squad on Sunday,” SA Rugby stated.
Furthermore, these Springboks are on ‘trial’ for first team spots under Rassie due to recent injuries and a suspension.
39-MAN SPRINGBOK SQUAD
Forwards: Phepsi Buthelezi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Racing 92), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92/Hollywoodbets Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Blu Revs), RG Snyman (Munster/Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins/Hollywoodbets Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Emirates Lions), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
PLAYERS ON STANDBY:
Forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche (both DHL Stormers), Celimpilo Gumede, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw (all Vodacom Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Stormers).
Backs: Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL Stormers), Jordan Hendrikse (Emirates Lions), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Siya Masuku (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
The Springboks first test match following the Irish series is a historic first-ever Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein. Which players would you like to see make their Springboks debuts and who should earn a rare start in the green and gold?
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